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Anyone from Ma. using the Easy Pass transponders while traveling the states it covers ( Mainly east coast ) ? Was told I needed 2 transponders and had to register as Commercial because of the dually and commercial plates. They also said to use the 5er transponder ONLY when towing. Another point is that outside of Ma. you must go through the MULTI- MODE lane so the attendant can count the axles. Hardly seems worth the effort. Any thoughts ?
Toll roads are evil. Sadly as states seek more and more revenue, more and more roads are being converted to toll. Start indexing the federal gas taxes to keep up with inflation and the need for toll roads goes away. Other than that, no experience with EZ Pass.
I wish they were all like SunPass in Florida, where you can get a transponder you move between vehicles and the toll roads count the axles. That means we can drive our two axle motorhome without the car and get charged for two axles, or with the car and get charged for four axles, automatically. But EZPass is not so forgiving and changes by state. It is only easy for a two axle car.
In October 2016, all toll transponders in the USA are required by federal law to be inter-operable. Some authorities and states have made progress, but not all. It is not a new law.
In some areas the toll roads are a must. There is a short stretch of I-80/I-90 south of Chicago that we take, something like 75 cents for 4 axles, since the alternative is city streets in a bad neighborhood. Around Miami and Orlando, the toll roads are much less stressful. Toll bridges can be hard to avoid, we determined the one on I-680 was worthwhile at $20 since going around would cost us over $50 in fuel and another hour and a half.
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Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com Full-timing since July 2003
We use EZ Pass when we are up in NY. When we are towing we have to go through a manned booth getting on the toll road so they can adjust the axles on their system but then we can go through the regular EZ Pass lane when we are getting off the highway. It's worth it for us. It only takes a second to go through the manned booth. The attendant knows what they need to do and you don't even have to say anything to them, other than thanks and have a good day. Getting off you don't have to wait in the line with the people paying with cash which is the end that usually takes more time anyway.
Hi Gary,
We are from MA and tried to get an EZPASS from them but it was during the period when MA was charging for the transponders. We got a free one from NY. When we started towing we contacted NY EZPASS, they took some general info about our rig then sent us a second transponder (blue) for when we are towing. We have towed from Maine to Florida several times and have never had an issue in any state. No requirement to have axles counted just breeze on through. We love the EZPASS and would not travel without it. Message us if you have any questions.
Where in MA are you from?
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Mike + Anne Partners in Fun!
If Your Dreams Don't Scare You...They're Not BIG Enough!!!!
Like Team Murc we have two transponders. We only use the blue one when towing and never had to be concerned about the number of axles. Never had a problem. We got ours free from Virginia.
Yes, just wanted to clarify. We only have one EZ Pass. We had it for our truck when we lived in NY before we even had the rig. We use that same EZ Pass all the time. If we are just driving the truck we go on through. If we are towing the rig, we go through the manned booth and they adjust for the extra number of axles.
If you want to avoid going through the manned stations I believe you can contact NY EZPASS and have them send you a dedicated pass for when your towing.
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Mike + Anne Partners in Fun!
If Your Dreams Don't Scare You...They're Not BIG Enough!!!!
We use the same EZPasses we've had for over 10 years - just registered the 5th wheel as a vehicle and we go through the express lanes all the time - on the GSP, NJ turnpike, the A/C Expressway, a bunch of different bridges, PA turnpike, even the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. It just knows the right amount to charge - we've never had a problem and we've never gone to the manned booth to get our axles counted.
We use the same EZPass as well. They seem to know when we are towing and when we are not towing...not sure how and frankly that's their problem :) Toll Roads are a pain in the butt..so glad we have seen few of them out West