Massachusetts has two toll systems, and which one you use depends on where you're driving

Massachusetts operates tolls through two separate systems: the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), which is managed by MassDOT, and tolled bridges in the Boston area, which are also managed by MassDOT. The Turnpike runs east-west across the state and charges by distance traveled. The bridge tolls are fixed charges for crossing specific structures like the Tobin Bridge, Sumner Tunnel, and Ted Williams Tunnel. You cannot avoid these tolls by taking alternate routes — they are the only ways to cross those locations.

You have three ways to pay: E-ZPass (a prepaid electronic account), Pay-by-Plate (a photo-based system that bills you later), or cash (at limited toll plazas). E-ZPass is the cheapest option and works in Massachusetts and 15 other states. Pay-by-Plate costs more per crossing but requires no account setup. Cash is the most expensive and is only available at a few remaining toll plazas on the Turnpike.

Key Takeaways

  • E-ZPass is the cheapest way to pay tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike and Boston-area bridges, and your account works in 16 states total.
  • Pay-by-Plate automatically photographs your license plate and sends you a bill, with no account needed, but costs significantly more per toll than E-ZPass.
  • Cash is accepted at only a handful of toll plazas on the Turnpike and costs more than both electronic options.
  • You can set up E-ZPass online in minutes, and the transponder arrives by mail within 5 to 7 business days.
  • If you receive a Pay-by-Plate bill you believe is wrong, you can dispute it through MassDOT's customer service within 30 days of the bill date.

Setting up E-ZPass in Massachusetts

E-ZPass is a prepaid account linked to a small electronic transponder that you mount on your windshield. When you pass through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with readers and deducts the toll from your account balance. You can set up an account online at www.mass.gov/ezpass or by calling MassDOT's E-ZPass customer service at 1-844-MASS-EZP (1-844-627-7397).

To open an account, you will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You choose how much money to load into your account — there is no minimum or maximum. When your balance drops below a threshold you set, the system automatically recharges your account using your payment method. The transponder is mailed to you at no charge and typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days. Once it arrives, you mount it on your windshield and your account is active.

E-ZPass rates on the Massachusetts Turnpike vary by distance and vehicle class. A standard passenger car pays less per mile than a truck. The exact toll depends on your entry and exit points. You can calculate your toll before you drive by entering your route on the MassDOT website. E-ZPass users also receive a discount compared to Pay-by-Plate users on the same route.

Pay-by-Plate: How it works and when to use it

Pay-by-Plate is a system where a camera photographs your license plate as you pass through a toll plaza, and MassDOT mails you a bill. You do not need to set up an account or install anything on your vehicle. The system works automatically — you straightforward drive through the toll zone, and the bill arrives at the address registered with your vehicle's registration.

Pay-by-Plate costs more per toll than E-ZPass. For example, on the Turnpike, a Pay-by-Plate toll might be 50 to 100 percent higher than the E-ZPass rate for the same route, depending on distance. You will receive a bill in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks of crossing a toll plaza. The bill includes the toll amount, the date and time of the crossing, and a photo of your vehicle's license plate.

Pay-by-Plate is useful if you cross tolls infrequently or do not want to set up an account. However, if you drive the Turnpike or Boston bridges regularly, E-ZPass saves money quickly. A single E-ZPass account can be used on multiple vehicles — you straightforward register each vehicle's license plate to the same account and request additional transponders.

Cash toll payment and remaining toll plazas

Cash is accepted at a limited number of toll plazas on the Massachusetts Turnpike, but the number of cash lanes has declined significantly in recent years. As of now, cash is accepted at the following locations: the Natick toll plaza (I-90 eastbound), the Weston toll plaza (I-90 westbound), and a few others. MassDOT's website lists all current cash-accepting locations, and you should check before relying on cash as your payment method.

Cash tolls cost more than both E-ZPass and Pay-by-Plate. The exact amount depends on your vehicle class and the distance traveled. You pay the toll attendant directly, and no account or registration is required. However, cash lanes often have longer wait times than electronic lanes, especially during peak travel hours.

The Boston-area bridges (Tobin Bridge, Sumner Tunnel, Ted Williams Tunnel) no longer accept cash at all. These tolls are paid only through E-ZPass or Pay-by-Plate. If you plan to cross these bridges, you must have one of those two payment methods set up before you drive.

Disputing a Pay-by-Plate bill or transponder charge

If you believe a toll charge is incorrect, you can dispute it. For Pay-by-Plate bills, contact MassDOT's customer service within 30 days of the bill date. You will need the bill number, the date of the crossing, and the toll amount. MassDOT will review the photo and the toll calculation. If the charge was an error, they will issue a refund or credit to your account.

For E-ZPass disputes, log into your account online or call customer service. Common issues include duplicate charges (when a transponder is read twice at the same toll plaza) or charges for a vehicle you no longer own. MassDOT can investigate and refund charges if they find an error. Keep your transponder registration current — if you sell a vehicle, update your account when ready so you are not charged for tolls on a vehicle you no longer own.

If you receive a bill for a vehicle you do not recognize, report it to MassDOT right away. Toll fraud and license plate cloning do occur, and reporting it quickly protects you from accumulating unpaid toll debt.

E-ZPass works across state lines

One major advantage of E-ZPass is that it works on toll roads in 16 states and Washington, D.C., including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and others. If you travel to other states with tolled highways, your Massachusetts E-ZPass transponder works automatically — you do not need separate accounts. The toll rates vary by state and by road, but your single account handles all of them.

This is particularly useful if you drive to New York or Connecticut regularly. Your transponder works on the New York Thruway, the Tappan Zee Bridge, and Connecticut's tolled highways without any additional setup. You can check the full list of participating states and roads on the national E-ZPass website at www.e-zpassiag.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's E-ZPass transponder in my car?

No. E-ZPass transponders are registered to a specific vehicle's license plate. If you use a transponder registered to a different vehicle, the toll will be charged to that vehicle's account, and the owner may face collection action. Each vehicle you own should have its own transponder registered to that vehicle's plate.

What happens if I don't pay a toll bill?

Unpaid tolls accumulate interest and penalties. MassDOT can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal, preventing you from renewing your registration until the debt is paid. In some cases, unpaid tolls can be referred to a collection agency. If you receive a bill you cannot pay when ready, contact MassDOT to discuss payment options.

Do I need E-ZPass if I only cross the Boston bridges occasionally?

You do not need E-ZPass specifically, but you must have either E-ZPass or Pay-by-Plate set up. Since the bridges no longer accept cash, Pay-by-Plate is an option if you do not want an account. However, if you cross more than a few times per year, E-ZPass becomes cheaper.

How long does it take to get an E-ZPass transponder?

The transponder is mailed to you at no charge and typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days of account setup. Your account is active when ready after you set it up online, but you cannot use the transponder until it arrives and you mount it on your windshield. If you need a transponder urgently, some customer service centers may have walk-in options — check the MassDOT website for locations.

Can I transfer my E-ZPass account to a new vehicle?

Yes. You can register multiple vehicles to a single E-ZPass account. When you buy a new vehicle, log into your account and add the new vehicle's license plate. You can request additional transponders for each vehicle, or you can move your existing transponder to the new vehicle and request a new one for the old vehicle if you keep it.