Payment methods
How to pay Ohio Turnpike tolls
Three ways to pay: E-ZPass at the discounted rate, or cash or card in the lanes at the cash/credit rate. Unpaid tolls are invoiced to the registered owner at a higher rate.
Quick answer: E-ZPass = cheapest (Class 1: $0.073/mi). Cash and card both pay the cash/credit rate ($0.106/mi for Class 1). Driving through without paying triggers a mailed invoice at the unpaid-toll rate, the most expensive tier.
E-ZPass
Highway-speed gantry, lowest rate
Drive through the dedicated E-ZPass lane at the posted speed. The gantry reads your tag at entry and exit and bills your account at the discounted Ohio rate. Full E-ZPass guide.
Cash
Take a ticket on entry, pay on exit
In the ticketed section, pull a paper ticket on entry, drive to your exit, hand the ticket over and pay in cash. Change is given. The cash/credit rate applies; E-ZPass runs about 31% below it for Class 1.
Credit / debit card
Cashier lane only, same rate as cash
Visa, Mastercard, AmEx and Discover are accepted at staffed lanes. Contactless tap-to-pay works at most plazas. The toll is charged at the published cash rate.
Unpaid-toll invoice
Plate photographed, invoice mailed
If you pass a toll point without a tag and without paying, the camera captures your plate and the Turnpike bills the registered owner by mail at the unpaid-toll rate, the highest tier, plus a $5 administrative fee for in-lane unpaid tolls.
At the plaza, lane by lane
| Lane | Who uses it | Speed | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-ZPass dedicated | Tag-equipped vehicles | Highway speed at modern plazas, 25 mph at older ones | E-ZPass rate |
| Cashier (staffed) | Cash, card, lost-ticket payers | Stop and pay | Cash rate |
| Unpaid toll (billed by mail) | No tag, no stop | Roll past the toll point | Unpaid-toll rate, plus $5 fee |
What happens if you don't pay
- 1First invoice arrives in the mail. Sent to the registered vehicle owner at the unpaid-toll rate, plus a $5 administrative fee for in-lane unpaid tolls.
- 2Pay by the due date. Pay online at ohioturnpike.org, by mail, or by phone.
- 3Late fee. A $5 fee is added if the first invoice is not paid by its due date; further penalties stack on continued non-payment.
- 4Registration hold. Persistent non-payment can result in your registration being held by the Ohio BMV. Some other states have reciprocity arrangements.