Maryland's toll system works through three main roads, and you can pay by mail, online, or through an automatic account

Maryland operates tolls on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and the Intercounty Connector (MD 200). If you use any of these roads, you either pay at a toll plaza when you cross, or you receive an invoice by mail afterward. The state does not require you to set up an account in advance — you can pay a one-time toll when it arrives — but an account saves you money through discounts and stops late fees from piling up.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) runs the toll system. If you drive a toll road without paying, the MdTA will photograph your license plate and send you an invoice. If you ignore that invoice, penalties and collection fees add up quickly. Understanding your payment options now prevents that problem later.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland tolls are charged on three roads: the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and Intercounty Connector, and you can pay by mail or online after crossing.
  • Setting up a Maryland E-ZPass account gives you a 50% discount on most tolls and prevents invoices from arriving at your home.
  • If you receive a toll invoice in the mail, you have 30 days to pay before late fees begin to accrue.
  • Unpaid tolls can result in vehicle registration holds, so paying promptly protects your ability to renew your registration.
  • You can check your toll balance and payment history through the MdTA website or by calling their customer service line.

Setting up Maryland E-ZPass for automatic toll payment

Maryland E-ZPass is a prepaid account that deducts tolls automatically as you cross. You mount a small transponder on your windshield, and when you pass through a toll plaza, the reader scans it and charges your account. The main advantage is the discount: E-ZPass users pay roughly 50% less than drivers who pay by invoice. On the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, for example, the toll is $2.50 for E-ZPass versus $4.00 for pay-by-mail.

To open an E-ZPass account, visit the MdTA website at mdta.maryland.gov or call 1-888-321-6714. You will need a valid credit card or bank account for the prepaid balance, and you can load money into the account in increments. The transponder itself costs $25 (one-time), and you can use it on toll roads in other states that accept E-ZPass, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. If you lose or damage the transponder, replacement costs $25.

E-ZPass accounts are tied to your vehicle's license plate. If you sell the car or switch plates, contact the MdTA to update your account, or tolls will be charged to the new owner's plate and create confusion later.

Paying tolls by mail after you receive an invoice

If you cross a toll road without E-ZPass, the MdTA photographs your plate and mails you an invoice within 10 to 14 days. The invoice shows the toll amount, the date and time you crossed, and the road you used. You have 30 days from the invoice date to pay before a late fee of $25 is added to your bill.

You can pay the invoice by mail, online, or by phone. To pay online, go to mdta.maryland.gov, click "Pay a Toll Invoice," and enter your invoice number and license plate. Payment by credit card or debit card is accepted. To pay by phone, call 1-888-321-6714 and have your invoice number ready. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on the invoice; allow 7 to 10 business days for processing.

If you do not recognize the toll charge or believe it was issued in error, you can dispute it through the MdTA website within 30 days of the invoice date. You will need to provide details about why you believe the charge is wrong — for example, if you were not driving the vehicle that day. The MdTA will review your dispute and respond within 15 business days.

What happens if you ignore a toll invoice

Unpaid tolls create a chain of consequences that extends beyond just the toll itself. After 30 days, a $25 late fee is added. If you do not pay within 60 days of the original invoice, the MdTA can place a hold on your vehicle registration. This means you cannot renew your registration until the toll and all fees are paid. If your registration expires while the hold is in place, you are driving without a valid registration, which is a traffic violation.

The MdTA can also refer unpaid tolls to a collection agency, which will contact you and may report the debt to credit bureaus. Collection agencies often add their own fees on top of what you owe. In rare cases, the state can suspend your driver's license if tolls remain unpaid for an extended period, though this is less common than registration holds.

If you have unpaid tolls and want to resolve them, contact the MdTA directly at 1-888-321-6714. They can tell you the total amount owed, including any late fees, and discuss payment options. If you are facing financial hardship, ask whether a payment plan is available.

Checking your toll account balance and payment history

Whether you have an E-ZPass account or receive invoices by mail, you can check your balance and history on the MdTA website. Log into your account at mdta.maryland.gov with your username and password. E-ZPass users will see their prepaid balance, recent transactions, and the date the account will run out of funds. Invoice payers can search for unpaid tolls by entering their license plate number.

You can also call 1-888-321-6714 to speak with a customer service representative. Have your license plate number or invoice number ready. The MdTA can tell you whether any tolls are outstanding, what the total amount owed is, and when the next invoice will arrive if you have a pending toll.

If you are moving out of state or selling your vehicle, check your account before you leave to make sure all tolls are paid. An outstanding toll can follow you to another state if you are still registered in Maryland, and it may affect your ability to register a vehicle in your new state.

E-ZPass versus pay-by-mail: which option makes sense for you

The choice between E-ZPass and pay-by-mail depends on how often you use Maryland toll roads. If you cross a toll road more than once or twice a year, E-ZPass saves money through the 50% discount. A single trip across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge costs $4.00 by invoice but $2.50 with E-ZPass — the transponder pays for itself in about 10 crossings. If you use toll roads regularly for commuting, the savings add up to hundreds of dollars per year.

Pay-by-mail works if you cross toll roads rarely. You pay the full toll when the invoice arrives, and there is no upfront cost or account to manage. However, if you forget to pay an invoice, late fees and registration holds happen quickly, so this option requires you to stay organized.

A third option is to use E-ZPass in another state's account if you have one. Some drivers who travel frequently hold E-ZPass accounts from Virginia or Pennsylvania and use them in Maryland. This works, but you will not receive the Maryland discount — you will pay the full toll. If you live in or frequently visit Maryland, a Maryland E-ZPass account is the better choice.

Tolls on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other specific roads

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is the most heavily used toll road in Maryland. It connects the Eastern Shore to the western side of the state and charges tolls in both directions. The toll is $4.00 for pay-by-mail and $2.50 for E-ZPass. If you cross during rush hour or on weekends, expect delays at the toll plaza, especially in summer. E-ZPass lanes move faster because the transponder is read automatically and you do not have to stop.

The Baltimore-Washington Parkway charges tolls at specific plazas between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The toll is $2.00 for pay-by-mail and $1.00 for E-ZPass. The Intercounty Connector (MD 200) is a newer toll road in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. Tolls vary by time of day and direction of travel, ranging from $1.50 to $6.00 for pay-by-mail and $0.75 to $3.00 for E-ZPass. The Intercounty Connector uses dynamic pricing, meaning tolls are higher during peak commute times and lower during off-peak hours.

If you use the Intercounty Connector regularly, check the MdTA website for current toll rates, as they change seasonally. E-ZPass users can see the exact toll charged after each crossing in their account history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my E-ZPass from another state on Maryland toll roads?

Yes, E-ZPass accounts from Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other participating states work on Maryland toll roads. However, you will not receive the Maryland discount — you will pay the full toll rate. If you live in Maryland or cross Maryland tolls frequently, opening a Maryland E-ZPass account saves more money.

What if I did not receive a toll invoice in the mail?

Contact the MdTA at 1-888-321-6714 with your license plate number. They can search for any outstanding tolls. Mail can be delayed or lost, so if you crossed a toll road and did not receive an invoice within 14 days, call to confirm whether a toll was charged. This prevents late fees from accumulating without your knowledge.

Can I get a refund if I paid a toll twice by mistake?

Yes. Contact the MdTA with proof of both payments — your receipt numbers or credit card statements. They will review the duplicate charge and issue a refund to your original payment method. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days.

Does a toll hold on my registration affect my driver's license?

A toll hold prevents you from renewing your vehicle registration, but it does not directly suspend your driver's license. However, if your registration expires because of the hold and you continue to drive, you are operating an unregistered vehicle, which can result in a traffic ticket and fines. Pay the toll to lift the hold and renew your registration before it expires.

What if I was not driving the vehicle when the toll was charged?

If someone else was driving your car, you are still responsible for the toll because it is charged to your license plate. You can dispute the toll through the MdTA website if you believe it was issued in error, but you cannot transfer the charge to another driver. If tolls are regularly charged when you are not driving, consider restricting who uses your vehicle or setting up E-ZPass to monitor crossings more closely.