Illinois E-ZPass toll rates depend on your vehicle type, the tollway you drive, and your payment method. Passenger cars pay as little as $0.20 with an I-PASS or out-of-state E-ZPass transponder at small toll plazas, and up to $2.95 per gantry without a transponder. Large commercial trucks pay between $1.50 and $25.75 at mainline plazas. The Illinois Tollway Authority operates 294 miles of toll roads and uses all-electronic tolling on every route.
How Illinois E-ZPass Toll Collection Works
Illinois converted to cashless tolling in 2020. Overhead gantries read transponders or snap photos of license plates as vehicles pass at highway speed. No toll booths, no stopping, no cash.
- I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder: Lowest rate, charged to your prepaid account.
- License plate photo (Pay by Plate): Higher rate, billed to the registered vehicle owner.
- No transponder, no account: Highest rate plus possible violation fees.
The system links to 19 E-ZPass states, so any working EZPass works on Illinois toll roads.
Illinois E-ZPass Toll Rates by Vehicle Class
Illinois uses axle and tire counts to sort vehicles into four toll tiers.
| Vehicle Tier | Description | I-PASS or EZPass | Pay by Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Passenger cars, SUVs, motorcycles (2 axles, 4 tires) | $0.20 – $2.50 | $0.40 – $5.00 |
| Tier 2 | Small trucks, vans with trailers (2 axles, 6 tires) | $0.50 – $5.90 | $1.00 – $11.80 |
| Tier 3 | Medium trucks, buses (3–4 axles) | $0.75 – $10.55 | $1.50 – $21.10 |
| Tier 4 | Large trucks, tractor-trailers (5+ axles) | $1.00 – $19.35 | $2.00 – $38.70 |
Commercial trucks get a 50% overnight discount between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Illinois E-ZPass Rates by Tollway
Five tollway systems carry traffic through Chicago and the suburbs. Each route has multiple gantries with different rates.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
I-90 runs from Chicago to Rockford and the Wisconsin border. Mainline gantries charge passenger cars $0.75 to $1.50 with I-PASS. Tier 4 trucks pay $8.15 to $16.30 during the day.
| Plaza | I-PASS Tier 1 | Pay by Plate Tier 1 | Tier 4 Day | Tier 4 Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Beloit | $0.95 | $1.90 | $12.20 | $6.10 |
| Belvidere | $1.50 | $3.00 | $16.30 | $8.15 |
| Elgin | $0.75 | $1.50 | $8.15 | $4.08 |
Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294, I-80)
The Tri-State connects Wisconsin, Chicago, and Indiana. It carries the highest traffic volume in the system.
| Plaza | I-PASS Tier 1 | Pay by Plate Tier 1 | Tier 4 Day | Tier 4 Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | $1.40 | $2.80 | $15.25 | $7.63 |
| Touhy Avenue | $0.95 | $1.90 | $10.15 | $5.08 |
| Cermak Road | $0.75 | $1.50 | $8.15 | $4.08 |
Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
I-88 runs east-west from the Chicago suburbs to Sterling and Rock Falls. The DeKalb mainline is the priciest gantry in the system for trucks.
| Plaza | I-PASS Tier 1 | Pay by Plate Tier 1 | Tier 4 Day | Tier 4 Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | $1.80 | $3.60 | $19.35 | $9.68 |
| Aurora | $0.75 | $1.50 | $8.15 | $4.08 |
| York Road | $0.75 | $1.50 | $8.15 | $4.08 |
Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)
I-355 runs north-south through DuPage and Will counties. Spring Creek and Boughton Road are the busiest gantries.
| Plaza | I-PASS Tier 1 | Pay by Plate Tier 1 | Tier 4 Day | Tier 4 Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek | $1.90 | $3.80 | $16.30 | $8.15 |
| Boughton Road | $0.95 | $1.90 | $8.15 | $4.08 |
| Archer Avenue | $1.20 | $2.40 | $10.55 | $5.28 |
Illinois Route 390 Tollway
IL-390 is a short east-west route serving the western suburbs near O’Hare Airport. Rates are the lowest in the system.
| Plaza | I-PASS Tier 1 | Pay by Plate Tier 1 | Tier 4 Day | Tier 4 Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plum Grove Road | $0.60 | $1.20 | $5.90 | $2.95 |
| Mitchell Boulevard | $0.35 | $0.70 | $3.75 | $1.88 |
I-PASS vs Out-of-State E-ZPass Rates
Out-of-state EZ-Pass users pay the same rate as Illinois I-PASS holders. The two systems are fully linked. Your home state EZPass account gets charged every time you pass a gantry in Illinois.
Drivers without any transponder get billed at the higher Pay by Plate rate. The registered vehicle owner receives an invoice in the mail within 14 days. If unpaid, a $20 violation fee is added per toll.
Illinois Toll Discounts and Savings
- I-PASS 50% discount: Using any EZPass transponder cuts rates in half compared to Pay by Plate.
- Overnight truck discount: Commercial vehicles save 50% on trips between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- No frequent user bonus: Illinois does not offer volume discounts for daily commuters.
- No veteran exemption: Military veterans pay full tolls in 2026.
- No carpool discount: Passenger count does not affect toll rates.
Illinois Toll Payment Options
Three payment methods work on every Illinois toll road.
- I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder: Prepaid account linked to your transponder. Lowest rate.
- Pay by Plate online: No transponder needed. You create a temporary account on the Illinois Tollway website within 14 days of travel.
- Pay by Plate invoice: Automatic invoice mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Higher rate plus a $3 service fee per invoice.
Illinois Toll Violations and Late Fees
Missed tolls and unpaid invoices trigger a violation notice.
- First notice: Toll amount plus a $20 administrative fee per unpaid toll.
- Second notice (after 30 days): Toll amount plus a $50 fee per toll.
- Collection (after 90 days): Account sent to collections. Additional $100 collection fee plus potential license plate hold.
Repeated violations may result in a hold on your vehicle registration through the Illinois Secretary of State.
How to Pay a Missed Illinois Toll
Drivers have 14 days to pay a missed toll at the lower Pay by Plate rate.
- Visit the Illinois Tollway website at illinoistollway.com.
- Click “Pay Tolls” and enter your license plate number.
- Pay the balance with a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.
- Save the confirmation email for your records.
Phone payments are accepted at 1-800-824-7279. In-person payments are accepted at customer service centers in Downers Grove, Bridgeview, and other Illinois locations.
How to Sign Up for E-ZPass in Illinois
Illinois residents and out-of-state drivers can open an I-PASS account in minutes.
- Online: Apply at the Illinois Tollway website. Initial account balance starts at $20.
- By phone: Call 1-800-824-7279 and open an account with a credit card.
- Retail locations: Pick up an I-PASS at Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, or CVS in Illinois. Activation fee applies.
- Cost of transponder: $10 for the sticker transponder, $25 for the hard-case portable transponder.
Replacement transponders cost $10 for sticker and $25 for portable. Lost or damaged transponders are replaced at the same rate. Monthly account statements are sent by email or mail.
Illinois Tollway Authority
2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 1-800-824-7279
Website: illinoistollway.com
Customer service hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois E-ZPass Toll Rates
Below are answers to common questions about Illinois EZ-Pass toll rates, payment methods, and transponder rules. Drivers across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and other EZ Pass states ask these every week.
How much does E-ZPass cost in Illinois?
The I-PASS transponder costs $10 for the sticker version and $25 for the portable version. You must load a minimum of $20 in prepaid tolls to open the account. There is no monthly fee for Illinois residents. Out-of-state customers pay no extra fee when opening an I-PASS account online.
Is E-ZPass cheaper than paying tolls without a transponder in Illinois?
Yes. I-PASS and E-ZPass users pay 50% less than the Pay by Plate rate at every toll plaza. The DeKalb mainline on I-88 costs $1.80 with I-PASS but $3.60 with Pay by Plate. A daily commuter saves over $600 per year by using a transponder.
Can I use my out-of-state E-ZPass in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois accepts every working EZ Pass transponder from 19 member states. Your home state account is charged the same I-PASS rate. No separate Illinois account is needed. Open-road tolling gantries read your transponder at highway speed and post the charge automatically.
What happens if I miss a toll in Illinois?
You have 14 days to pay the toll online at the Pay by Plate rate. After 14 days, an invoice is mailed to the registered vehicle owner with a $3 service fee. Unpaid invoices turn into violations with a $20 fee. Continued non-payment leads to a $50 fee and eventual collection action.
Do veterans get free tolls in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not offer free tolls to veterans in 2026. Some limited exemptions exist for official military convoys and emergency vehicles, but private veterans pay the same I-PASS or Pay by Plate rate as every other driver on Illinois toll roads.
When are Illinois commercial truck tolls the cheapest?
Commercial trucks save 50% on Illinois tolls between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The overnight rate applies to every mainline and ramp gantry. A Tier 4 truck pays $19.35 at the DeKalb mainline during the day but only $9.68 overnight.
Where can I buy an I-PASS transponder in Illinois?
I-PASS transponders are sold at Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, and CVS stores across Illinois. You can order online through the Illinois Tollway website or call 1-800-824-7279. The sticker transponder costs $10, and the portable transponder costs $25. Activation takes 24 hours for retail purchases.