How to Pay Austin Tolls and Manage Your Account

Where Austin tolls go and how to pay them

Austin has two toll roads: the Toll 183A corridor north of the city and the Toll 290 East corridor on the east side. Both are operated by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA). You can pay tolls three ways: with a TxTag transponder mounted on your windshield, by mail after receiving an invoice, or through the CTRMA website if you have a one-time toll charge.

TxTag is the fastest option. The transponder reads automatically as you pass through toll plazas, and the charge appears on your account. If you don't have a transponder, a camera photographs your license plate, and CTRMA mails you an invoice within two weeks. You then have 30 days to pay online, by phone, or by mail.

Rental cars and out-of-state vehicles are handled the same way—the plate is photographed, and an invoice is sent to the registered owner's address. If you rented a car and received a toll notice, the rental company may have already paid it and charged your credit card, so check your rental agreement and credit card statement first.

Key Takeaways

• TxTag transponders charge tolls automatically and cost $13.95 to set up, with no monthly fee; you load money into your account as needed.
• If you don't have a transponder, CTRMA photographs your plate and mails an invoice within two weeks; you have 30 days to pay.
• You can pay tolls online at ctrma.org, by phone at 1-844-CTRMA-77, or by mail using the invoice you receive.
• Late payments trigger a $25 penalty per unpaid toll, and unpaid tolls can prevent vehicle registration renewal in Texas.
• If you dispute a toll charge, you must contact CTRMA within 30 days of receiving the invoice to request a review.

Setting up and using a TxTag account

To get a TxTag transponder, visit ctrma.org, call 1-844-CTRMA-77, or go to a TxTag customer service location in person. You'll need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). The transponder itself costs $13.95 and is mailed to you within 5 to 7 business days.

Once you receive it, mount it on your windshield behind the rearview mirror, following the instructions included in the package. Then set up your online account at ctrma.org and add money to your prepaid balance. You can add as little as $10 or as much as you want. When your balance drops below $10, you can set up automatic replenishment so the account refills itself when it hits a certain threshold.

TxTag charges vary by time of day and vehicle type. Peak-hour tolls (roughly 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays) cost more than off-peak tolls. Motorcycles and electric vehicles may may have access to for discounts—check ctrma.org for current rates. Your account shows every toll you've paid, the date, time, and amount, so you can track spending.

Paying tolls by invoice if you don't have a transponder

When CTRMA photographs your plate, they mail an invoice to the address on your vehicle registration. The invoice shows the toll amount, the date and time you used the road, and your payment options. You have 30 days from the invoice date to pay.

Pay online at ctrma.org by entering your invoice number and the amount due. You can also pay by phone at 1-844-CTRMA-77 using a credit card or debit card. If you prefer to mail a check, include the invoice with your payment and send it to the address printed on the invoice. Do not send cash by mail.

If you use the same toll road regularly without a transponder, you'll receive multiple invoices. Each one is a separate charge, and each one must be paid within 30 days. Setting up a TxTag account will save you time and money because you'll avoid the administrative cost of processing invoices.

What happens if you don't pay on time

If you don't pay within 30 days of the invoice date, CTRMA adds a $25 penalty to your account. If you still don't pay after 60 days, another notice is sent. After 90 days of non-payment, your case may be referred to a collection agency, and the debt can appear on your credit report.

More immediately, unpaid tolls can prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration in Texas. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shares toll debt information with the registration system, so when you try to renew your registration online or at the DMV, the system will flag the unpaid toll and block the renewal until the toll is paid.

If you have a financial hardship and cannot pay, contact CTRMA directly at 1-844-CTRMA-77 to discuss your situation. They do not have a formal hardship program, but they may be able to work with you on a payment plan or clarify whether you actually owe the toll.

Disputing a toll charge

If you believe a toll charge is wrong—for example, you don't think you used that road, or you were charged twice for one trip—you have 30 days from the invoice date to request a review. Contact CTRMA at 1-844-CTRMA-77 or submit a dispute form on ctrma.org.

Provide as much detail as you can: the date and time of the toll, your vehicle information, and why you think the charge is incorrect. CTRMA will review the toll photo and your account history. If they find an error, they'll remove the charge. If they confirm the toll is correct, they'll explain why and you'll owe the amount.

Disputes submitted after 30 days are harder to resolve, so act quickly if you think something is wrong. Keep copies of all correspondence with CTRMA in case you need to reference it later.

Managing your TxTag account online

Log into your account at ctrma.org anytime to check your balance, view your toll history, update your payment method, and change your contact information. You can also set up email or text alerts so you're notified when your balance is low or when a toll is charged.

If you move, update your address in your account right away so CTRMA can reach you if there's a problem. If you sell your vehicle, remove the transponder and contact CTRMA to close that vehicle's account or transfer the transponder to a new vehicle. If you leave the transponder on a vehicle you no longer own, tolls charged to that vehicle will still be billed to your account.

If your transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact CTRMA and request a replacement. There is usually a replacement fee, though the exact amount varies. A new transponder will be mailed to you within 5 to 7 business days.

Toll rates and discounts in Austin

Toll 183A and Toll 290 East have different rates depending on the time of day and your vehicle type. Peak-hour tolls (weekday mornings and evenings) are higher than off-peak tolls (nights, weekends, and holidays). A single trip can range from about $0.50 to $2.00 or more, depending on when you travel and how far you go.

Motorcycles receive a 50% discount on most tolls. Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles may also may have access to for discounts—check ctrma.org for the current list of may be able to access vehicles. Discounts apply only if you have a TxTag transponder; if you pay by invoice, you won't receive a discount.

CTRMA publishes toll rates on their website and updates them periodically. If you use the toll roads regularly, check ctrma.org occasionally to see if rates have changed. You can also sign up for email notifications about rate changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I was overcharged on a toll?

If CTRMA confirms you were overcharged after you dispute the toll, they will remove the charge from your account. If you already paid, they will credit your TxTag account or issue a refund check, depending on how you paid. Request a refund in writing when you submit your dispute.

What if I lost my TxTag transponder?

Contact CTRMA at 1-844-CTRMA-77 or through ctrma.org to report it lost. They will deactivate the old transponder so tolls aren't charged to it, and they'll send you a replacement. There is usually a replacement fee. In the meantime, tolls will be photographed and invoiced to you by plate.

Do I have to pay tolls if I'm just passing through Austin?

Yes. If you use Toll 183A or Toll 290 East, you must pay the toll regardless of where you're from. If you don't have a TxTag, your plate will be photographed and an invoice will be mailed to your out-of-state address. You have 30 days to pay from the invoice date.

Can unpaid tolls affect my credit score?

If CTRMA refers your unpaid toll to a collection agency after 90 days, the debt can be reported to credit bureaus and appear on your credit report. This can lower your credit score. Paying the toll as soon as you receive the invoice prevents this from happening.

What if I used a rental car and got a toll invoice?

Check your rental agreement first—many rental companies pay tolls on behalf of customers and charge the cost to the credit card used for the rental. If the rental company didn't pay, you are responsible for the toll. Contact CTRMA with your rental agreement and proof of payment if you believe the rental company should have covered it.