Chicago tollways charge by the mile, and you can pay through I-PASS, Tollway.com, or by mail after receiving a bill

The Illinois Tollway system covers about 294 miles of highways in the Chicago area, including the Tri-State Tollway, the Reagan Expressway, and the Stevenson Expressway. You do not have to set up an account before you drive — you can pay after the fact — but doing so saves money because transponder users get a discount on every toll.

The three ways to pay are: I-PASS (a prepaid transponder account), Tollway.com (pay-by-plate after you drive), or by mail (if you receive a bill). Each has different costs and important date. Which one makes sense depends on how often you use the tollways and whether you want to set up an account in advance.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS transponders cost $25 to $40 upfront and give you a per-toll discount, making them the cheapest option if you drive the tollways regularly.
  • Tollway.com lets you pay a single toll after you drive without setting up an account, but you pay a higher rate than I-PASS users.
  • If you do not pay within 28 days of driving, the Tollway mails you an invoice; if you ignore it, late fees and collection actions can follow.
  • You can buy an I-PASS at participating retailers, online at ipassillinois.com, or at Tollway customer service centers in person.
  • Rental cars and commercial vehicles have separate payment systems and rules.

I-PASS: The prepaid transponder option with the lowest per-toll cost

An I-PASS is a small electronic device that mounts on your windshield and automatically deducts toll charges from a prepaid account. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with the reader and charges your account. You do not stop or interact with anyone — you straightforward drive through.

I-PASS users pay a lower rate per toll than drivers who pay by other methods. The exact discount varies by toll location, but I-PASS rates are typically 30 to 50 percent lower than the cash or pay-by-plate rate for the same toll. If you drive the tollways more than a few times per month, the transponder pays for itself quickly.

To get an I-PASS, you need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You can purchase one online at ipassillinois.com, by phone at 1-800-824-7277, or in person at a Tollway customer service center or participating retailer. The transponder itself costs $25 to $40 depending on the type, and you load money into the account when you buy it.

Your I-PASS account requires a minimum balance. When your balance drops below a certain threshold, the account automatically charges your payment method to refill it. You can set up automatic replenishment or manage your balance manually through the I-PASS website or app.

Tollway.com: Pay after you drive without an account

If you do not have an I-PASS and do not want to buy one, you can pay individual tolls through Tollway.com after you drive. The Tollway's cameras photograph your license plate, and you can look up the toll and pay it online within a set window.

You have 28 days from the date you drove to pay through Tollway.com. You do not need to create an account or provide any information in advance — you straightforward enter your license plate number, select the toll you drove, and pay by credit or debit card. The per-toll rate is higher than I-PASS but lower than the cash rate (which no longer exists at most Illinois Tollway plazas).

If you miss the 28-day window, the Tollway mails you an invoice. You can still pay by mail, but a late fee is added. If you ignore the invoice, the Tollway can pursue collection, report the debt to credit bureaus, and in some cases suspend your vehicle registration through the Illinois Secretary of State.

Paying by mail after receiving an invoice

If you do not pay through I-PASS or Tollway.com within 28 days, the Tollway sends you a bill in the mail. The invoice includes the toll amount, a late fee, and instructions for payment. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card.

The late fee is added to your bill if you pay after the 28-day window closes. The exact amount depends on the number of unpaid tolls and how long they have been outstanding. Paying by mail is slower than online payment and leaves a paper trail, so it is the least efficient option if you have a choice.

If you receive multiple invoices or your account goes to collections, the Tollway may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal through the Illinois Secretary of State. This means you cannot renew your registration until the toll debt is resolved.

Rental cars and commercial vehicles

If you rent a car and drive the Illinois Tollways, the rental company is responsible for paying tolls. Most rental agencies charge a convenience fee to your rental agreement if tolls are incurred. Some rental companies offer the option to prepay tolls at a flat rate; others bill you after the fact. Check your rental agreement or ask the rental agent about their toll policy before you drive.

Commercial vehicles, trucks, and vehicles with more than two axles use a different toll structure and may require a separate commercial account. If you operate a commercial vehicle, contact the Tollway's commercial customer service line for information about commercial accounts and rates.

What happens if you do not pay

Unpaid tolls can escalate quickly. After 28 days, a late fee is added. After 60 days, the account may be referred to a collection agency. After 90 days or more, the Tollway can request that the Illinois Secretary of State place a hold on your vehicle registration, preventing you from renewing it.

A registration hold stays in place until the toll debt is paid in full. If you have a hold and attempt to renew your registration online or in person, the Secretary of State's system will flag your account and deny the renewal. You must contact the Tollway to resolve the debt before you can renew.

If you believe you were charged incorrectly or have a dispute, contact the Tollway's customer service at 1-800-824-7277 or through ipassillinois.com. You can request a review of specific tolls, and the Tollway can adjust your account if an error is found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an I-PASS from another state on Illinois tollways?

No. I-PASS is specific to Illinois and works only on Illinois Tollway plazas. If you have a transponder from another state (such as E-ZPass), it will not work on Illinois tollways. You must obtain an Illinois I-PASS to use the transponder discount.

What if I lose my I-PASS transponder?

Contact I-PASS customer service at 1-800-824-7277 to report it lost. You can request a replacement transponder, which costs a replacement fee. Your account balance transfers to the new transponder, so you do not lose the money you prepaid.

Do I have to pay tolls if I take a wrong exit?

Yes. Once you enter a tollway, you are responsible for paying the toll to exit, even if you took the wrong exit by mistake. If you exited when ready after entering, you can contact the Tollway to request a refund or credit, but this is not may provide. Plan your route before you enter to avoid this situation.

Can I set up I-PASS for someone else's vehicle?

Yes. You can create an I-PASS account and register multiple vehicles to it. Each vehicle gets its own transponder, and all tolls charge to the same account. This is useful for households with multiple drivers or for businesses with a fleet.

What if my license plate changes?

If you get a new license plate, update your vehicle information in your I-PASS account or on Tollway.com. If you pay by mail, the invoice is tied to your old plate, so updating your registration with the Secretary of State helps may support future tolls are billed correctly. Contact I-PASS customer service to update your plate number in your account.