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HL1Housing Living 101

How to Pay Tolls on Massachusetts Roads and Highways

By Tanika Patel
6 minute read

Massachusetts tolls work through three payment methods: cash at toll booths, a prepaid account called E-ZPass, or a pay-by-plate system that bills you by mail

Most Massachusetts tolls are collected on the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), the Ted Williams Tunnel, and the Tobin Bridge. You can pay as you go with cash, set up an E-ZPass account that charges your card automatically, or let the state photograph your plate and send you a bill. Which method you choose affects how much you pay per crossing and how quickly the charge hits your account.

E-ZPass is the cheapest option if you use tolled roads regularly. Cash tolls cost more per crossing. Pay-by-plate (the system that photographs your license plate and mails a bill) is available but charges a higher rate than E-ZPass and includes a processing fee.

Key Takeaways

  • E-ZPass accounts charge less per toll crossing than cash or pay-by-plate, and the money comes out of your prepaid balance automatically.
  • You can set up an E-ZPass account online, by phone, or at a service center, and the transponder arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
  • Cash toll lanes still exist at most Massachusetts toll plazas, but you pay a higher per-crossing rate than E-ZPass users.
  • If you do not have E-ZPass or cash, the toll plaza camera reads your plate and the state mails you an invoice within two weeks, plus a processing fee.
  • Unpaid tolls accrue late fees and can prevent vehicle registration renewal until the balance is cleared.

How E-ZPass works and how to set one up

E-ZPass is a prepaid account linked to a small electronic transponder that you mount on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with the toll reader, your account is charged instantly, and you do not stop. You load money into the account in advance, and it draws down with each crossing.

To open an E-ZPass account, visit www.mass.gov/ezpass, call 1-844-MASS-EZP (1-844-627-7397), or visit a service center in person. You will need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration document, and a payment method (debit or credit card). The transponder ships to your address within one to two weeks. Once it arrives, you mount it on the inside of your windshield, usually on the driver's side near the top.

E-ZPass rates are lower than cash rates. For example, a single crossing on the Massachusetts Turnpike costs less with E-ZPass than paying cash at the toll booth. Your account balance does not expire, but if it drops below a certain threshold (usually $5 to $10), the system will alert you and you can replenish it online, by phone, or at a service center.

Cash toll payment at toll booths

Cash toll lanes operate at most Massachusetts toll plazas during business hours. You drive up to a booth, hand cash to the attendant or use a coin machine, and proceed. Cash rates are higher per crossing than E-ZPass rates, and you pay each time you cross.

Cash toll booths are staffed during peak hours and early morning, but some plazas have coin-only or card-payment machines during off-peak times. If you use tolled roads frequently, the cost difference between cash and E-ZPass adds up quickly. For occasional use, cash is straightforward, but for regular commuters, E-ZPass saves money.

Pay-by-plate: How the camera system works

If you drive through a toll plaza without E-ZPass and without paying cash, a high-speed camera photographs your license plate. The state matches the plate to your vehicle registration and mails you an invoice within two weeks. You then pay the toll amount plus a processing fee (typically $2 to $3 per transaction).

Pay-by-plate is not a discount option—it costs more than E-ZPass and more than cash in most cases because of the processing fee. It is a fallback system for drivers who do not have E-ZPass and do not stop at a cash booth. If you receive a pay-by-plate invoice, you can pay it online at www.mass.gov/tolls, by phone, or by mail using the payment stub included with the bill.

What happens if you do not pay a toll

Unpaid tolls are tracked by license plate. If you do not pay a pay-by-plate invoice within 21 days, the state sends a second notice. If you still do not pay, late fees accumulate and the Registry of Motor Vehicles will not renew your vehicle registration until the toll debt is cleared. This means you cannot legally drive the vehicle.

If you dispute a toll charge—for example, if you believe you already paid or if the plate was misread—contact the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority or the toll collection agency listed on your invoice. Most agencies have a dispute process that takes two to four weeks. Keep receipts if you paid cash, and keep records of your E-ZPass transactions in case you need to prove payment.

E-ZPass service centers and customer support

Massachusetts E-ZPass service centers are located at several Turnpike plazas and at the Registry of Motor Vehicles offices in Boston and other cities. At a service center, you can open an account, add money to your balance, replace a damaged transponder, or update your account information in person. Hours vary by location, so check www.mass.gov/ezpass before you visit.

Customer service is available by phone at 1-844-MASS-EZP (1-844-627-7397) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. You can also manage your account online—check your balance, add funds, update your payment method, and view your transaction history.

Tolls on specific Massachusetts roads

The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) charges tolls at multiple plazas between the New York border and Boston. The Ted Williams Tunnel (I-90 through downtown Boston) has tolls. The Tobin Bridge (Route 1 between Boston and Charlestown) charges tolls. Each road has its own toll rates, but all accept E-ZPass, cash, and pay-by-plate.

Some roads in Massachusetts do not charge tolls. Local highways and state routes are free. If you are unsure whether a specific road has tolls, check www.mass.gov/tolls or call the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority at 1-844-MASS-EZP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an E-ZPass from another state on Massachusetts roads?

Yes. E-ZPass is interoperable across most states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. If you have an E-ZPass from New York, Connecticut, or another participating state, it works on Massachusetts tolls. Your home state's account is charged, and rates may differ slightly from a Massachusetts E-ZPass account.

What if my E-ZPass transponder stops working?

If your transponder is damaged or not reading, contact E-ZPass customer service at 1-844-MASS-EZP. They can send you a replacement transponder at no charge, or you can pick one up at a service center. In the meantime, use cash or pay-by-plate to avoid late fees.

Can I get a refund if I overpay my E-ZPass account?

Yes. If your account balance is positive when you close it or if you have overpaid, you can request a refund. Contact E-ZPass customer service with your account number and they will process the refund to your original payment method within two to three weeks.

Do I have to pay tolls if I have a disability or low income?

Massachusetts does not offer toll waivers or discounts based on disability or income. However, some states' E-ZPass programs offer reduced rates for certain groups. Check with the E-ZPass customer service line to learn whether you may be may be able to access for any program discounts.

What if I think I was charged twice for the same crossing?

Double charges are rare but can happen if a transponder malfunctions or if a plate is misread. If you see a duplicate charge on your E-ZPass statement or receive two pay-by-plate invoices for the same crossing, contact customer service with the date, time, and location. They can review the transaction and issue a credit if an error is confirmed.