How to Pay Illinois Tollway Tolls: Methods and What to Know

How to pay tolls on Illinois tollways

You can pay Illinois tollway tolls three ways: with a I-PASS account (the prepaid electronic system), by mail after receiving a toll bill, or at a toll plaza with cash or a credit card if you have a transponder-compatible vehicle. I-PASS is the fastest and cheapest option because it deducts tolls automatically from your account balance and charges lower rates than other payment methods. If you don't have I-PASS, you'll receive a bill in the mail within 30 days of driving a toll road, and you can pay by check, money order, or online through the Illinois Tollway website.

The Illinois Tollway operates the toll roads in the Chicago metropolitan area, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). Understanding your payment options matters because tolls add up quickly on these roads, and choosing the right payment method can save you money and time.

Key Takeaways

I-PASS is a prepaid electronic account that charges the lowest toll rates and deducts fares automatically when you drive through a toll plaza.
If you don't use I-PASS, you will receive a toll bill by mail within 30 days and can pay by check, money order, or online at illinoistollway.com.
Cash payments at toll plazas are only possible if your vehicle has a transponder, and they cost more than I-PASS rates.
You can set up I-PASS online, by phone at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277), or at a customer service center, and it takes about one week to receive your transponder in the mail.

Setting up an I-PASS account

To open an I-PASS account, you'll need your vehicle's license plate number, a valid driver's license or state ID, and a payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account). You can register online at illinoistollway.com, call 1-800-UC-IPASS, or visit a customer service center in person. The online process takes about 10 minutes and you'll receive a confirmation number when ready.

After you register, the Illinois Tollway will mail you a transponder (the small electronic device that attaches to your windshield) within five to seven business days. Your account becomes active as soon as you receive the transponder and set up it by following the instructions included in the package. You'll need to add money to your account before you use it—the minimum opening balance varies but is typically $25 to $40. Once your transponder is active, tolls are deducted automatically each time you pass through a toll plaza.

If you have multiple vehicles, you can add additional transponders to the same account. Each transponder is linked to a specific license plate, so the system knows which vehicle is passing through the toll plaza. This is important if you drive different cars on the tollway, because tolls are charged to the account associated with that plate.

I-PASS rates versus other payment methods

I-PASS users pay a lower toll rate than drivers who pay by cash or mail. The exact difference depends on the specific toll plaza and road, but I-PASS rates are typically 20 to 30 percent lower than cash rates. For example, if a cash toll costs $1.50, an I-PASS toll on the same road might cost $1.20. This savings adds up quickly if you drive the tollway regularly.

Drivers who don't have I-PASS and don't pay at the toll plaza will receive a bill by mail. The toll rate charged on a mailed bill is higher than I-PASS but lower than the cash rate. The Illinois Tollway charges a $2.00 administrative fee on top of the toll if you pay by mail, so a single toll that costs $1.20 with I-PASS might cost $2.50 when paid by mail ($1.30 toll plus $2.00 fee). Over time, this makes I-PASS the most economical choice for anyone who uses the tollway more than a few times per year.

Paying tolls by mail after receiving a bill

If you drive a toll road without I-PASS and don't pay at the toll plaza, you'll receive a bill in the mail within 30 days. The bill will show the toll amount, the $2.00 administrative fee, the date you used the road, and the toll plaza location. You can pay this bill by check, money order, or online through the Illinois Tollway website using a debit card or credit card.

When you pay by mail, write the bill number on your check or money order and mail it to the address shown on the bill. If you pay online, go to illinoistollway.com, select "Pay a Toll Bill," and enter the bill number and the amount due. Online payment is processed when ready, while mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to clear. Do not ignore a toll bill—unpaid tolls can result in late fees, suspension of your vehicle registration, or a hold on your driver's license renewal.

Paying tolls at the toll plaza with cash or card

Some Illinois Tollway plazas have manual toll booths where you can pay with cash or a credit card, but this option is becoming less common as the tollway transitions to all-electronic tolling. If a manual booth is available at your plaza, you can hand cash or a card to the toll collector. However, you'll pay the highest toll rate available—significantly more than I-PASS rates—and you'll also pay the $2.00 administrative fee if the system doesn't capture your payment correctly.

Most newer toll plazas are fully electronic, meaning there are no toll collectors and no way to pay with cash. At these plazas, you must have I-PASS or you will be photographed and billed by mail. If you're unsure whether a specific plaza has manual booths, call 1-800-UC-IPASS before you drive, or check the Illinois Tollway website for a map of all toll plazas and their payment options.

What happens if you don't pay a toll

If you drive a toll road without I-PASS and don't pay the bill when it arrives, the Illinois Tollway will send you a second notice with a late fee added. The late fee is typically $10 to $25 per unpaid toll, depending on how long the bill has been outstanding. If you continue to ignore the bill, the tollway can report the debt to a collection agency, which will appear on your credit report and damage your credit score.

More importantly, unpaid tolls can affect your vehicle registration and driver's license. The Illinois Secretary of State can suspend your vehicle registration or place a hold on your driver's license renewal if you have unpaid toll debt. This means you won't be able to renew your registration or license until the toll debt is paid. If you receive a toll bill you believe is incorrect, call 1-800-UC-IPASS to dispute it before the late fee is added.

Checking your I-PASS account balance and history

You can check your I-PASS account balance, transaction history, and transponder status online at illinoistollway.com by logging into your account with your username and password. You can also call 1-800-UC-IPASS to speak with a customer service representative who can tell you your balance and recent toll charges. Most I-PASS accounts are set to automatically replenish when the balance drops below a certain amount, so you don't have to manually add money every time.

If you set up automatic replenishment, your account will charge your payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account) whenever the balance falls below the threshold you choose. You can change the replenishment amount or turn off automatic replenishment at any time through your online account or by calling customer service. Keeping track of your balance helps you catch billing errors early and ensures you always have enough money in your account to drive the tollway without being billed by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my I-PASS in other states?

I-PASS works only on Illinois tollways. Other states have their own toll systems—Indiana uses the I-Toll system, Ohio uses E-ZPass, and other states have different programs. If you drive tolls in multiple states regularly, you may need to set up accounts in each state or use a universal transponder if your state offers one.

What if my transponder is lost or damaged?

Call 1-800-UC-IPASS to report a lost or damaged transponder and request a replacement. The Illinois Tollway will mail you a new one at no charge, and it typically arrives within five to seven business days. Your account remains active during this time, but tolls will be billed by mail until your new transponder is activated.

Can I transfer my I-PASS to a different vehicle?

Each transponder is linked to a specific license plate, so you cannot straightforward move it to another vehicle. If you buy a new car or want to use a different vehicle on the tollway, you need to add a new transponder to your account for that vehicle's license plate. You can manage multiple transponders through one I-PASS account.

How long does it take to get a refund if I close my I-PASS account?

If you close your I-PASS account, any remaining balance will be refunded to the payment method you used to fund the account. Refunds typically take 7 to 10 business days to appear. You can close your account online or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS.

What if I dispute a toll charge on my bill?

Call 1-800-UC-IPASS within 30 days of receiving your bill to dispute a charge. Have your bill number and the date of the toll ready. Customer service will review the charge and either remove it or explain why it was correct. Disputes filed after 30 days are harder to resolve.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.