How to pay Illinois tolls

You can pay Illinois tolls three ways: with cash at a toll booth, through an I-PASS account (a prepaid electronic tag), or by mail if you miss a toll. Most drivers use I-PASS because it's faster, cheaper per toll, and automatic. If you drive Illinois highways regularly—especially the Illinois Tollway system that runs through Chicago and connects to Indiana—setting up an account takes about 10 minutes online or by phone.

Cash payment still works at some booths, but tolls cost more that way, and you have to stop. If you pass through a toll plaza without paying, the tollway photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice by mail. That invoice costs more than the toll itself, so it's worth paying upfront rather than waiting for the bill.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is a prepaid electronic account that charges your credit card or bank account and lets you drive through toll plazas without stopping.
  • Cash tolls cost more per crossing than I-PASS tolls, and you must stop at a booth; not all plazas accept cash anymore.
  • If you don't pay a toll, the Illinois Tollway sends an invoice to your address based on your license plate, and the bill includes a processing fee.
  • You can set up I-PASS online at illinoistollway.com, by phone at 1-800-UC-IPASS, or at a customer service center.
  • I-PASS works on all Illinois Tollway roads and reciprocal toll roads in other states, so one account covers most of your toll driving.

Setting up an I-PASS account

Go to illinoistollway.com and click "Open an Account" to start online. You'll need your vehicle's license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a valid credit card or bank account for automatic payments. The account opens when ready, and the Illinois Tollway mails you a transponder (the small electronic tag) within 5 to 7 business days. You can drive on I-PASS lanes before the tag arrives—the system reads your license plate and charges your account.

If you prefer to set up by phone, call 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-4727) during business hours. A representative will walk you through the same information and mail your transponder. You can also visit an Illinois Tollway customer service center in person; locations are listed on their website.

Once your transponder arrives, mount it on your windshield inside the vehicle, behind the rearview mirror or on the upper corner. The tag communicates with readers at toll plazas and deducts the toll from your prepaid balance. When your balance drops below $10, the system automatically charges your payment method to refill it.

I-PASS tolls versus cash tolls

An I-PASS toll on the Illinois Tollway costs less than a cash toll for the same distance. For example, a trip that costs $2.50 with I-PASS might cost $4.00 paying cash. The difference adds up quickly if you drive the tollway more than once a week. I-PASS also saves time because you don't stop at a booth.

Not all toll plazas accept cash anymore. The Illinois Tollway has converted many plazas to all-electronic, meaning you must have I-PASS, pay by license plate invoice, or use a compatible tag from another state's tollway system. If you encounter an all-electronic plaza without I-PASS, your license plate is photographed and you receive an invoice by mail.

What happens if you don't pay a toll

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying and don't have I-PASS, the system photographs your license plate. The Illinois Tollway sends an invoice to the address registered with your vehicle's license plate. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a processing fee—this fee is separate from the toll and makes the total bill higher than what you would have paid upfront.

You have a important date to pay the invoice, which is printed on the bill. If you miss that important date, the tollway can report the debt to a collection agency, and it may affect your credit. Some people also face issues renewing their vehicle registration if toll debt is outstanding, though this varies by situation.

If you received an invoice by mistake—for example, your transponder malfunctioned or you were in a rental car—contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line to dispute it. Have your invoice number and a clear explanation ready.

Using I-PASS in other states

I-PASS works on toll roads in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and other states that participate in the REAL Network (Regional Electronic Toll Collection). This means your single I-PASS account covers tolls on the Indiana Toll Road, Ohio Turnpike, and similar systems without setting up separate accounts. Your transponder communicates with readers in those states the same way it does in Illinois.

If you travel to states outside the REAL Network—such as Florida, Texas, or the Northeast—those states have their own toll systems. You would need to set up a separate account for those roads, or pay by license plate invoice. Check the tollway website for the state you're visiting to see what payment methods they accept.

Maintaining your I-PASS account

Check your I-PASS balance and transaction history anytime by logging into your account on illinoistollway.com or calling customer service. Your balance should stay above zero; if it drops to $0, you'll be charged the cash toll rate and receive an invoice. The automatic replenishment feature prevents this by refilling your account when the balance falls below $10.

If your transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the Illinois Tollway to request a replacement. There may be a small fee for a replacement tag. If you sell your vehicle, remove the transponder and contact customer service to transfer it to your new vehicle or close the account if you no longer drive in Illinois.

Update your payment method if your credit card expires or your bank account changes. You can do this online or by phone. If your payment method fails, the tollway will attempt to charge it multiple times before suspending your account, so staying current prevents service interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's I-PASS in my car?

No. I-PASS accounts are tied to a specific vehicle's license plate. If you borrow a car, you either need to use that car's I-PASS, pay cash, or pay by license plate invoice. Using another person's transponder in your vehicle can cause billing problems for both accounts.

What if I'm driving a rental car in Illinois?

Most rental car companies offer I-PASS for an extra daily fee, or they enroll rental cars in a license plate payment system. Ask the rental company at pickup what toll payment method they use. If you don't arrange anything, tolls will be billed to the rental company, which may charge you a processing fee on top of the toll.

How long does it take to get my transponder?

The Illinois Tollway mails transponders within 5 to 7 business days of opening your account. You can drive on I-PASS lanes when ready using your license plate, even before the physical tag arrives. Once it arrives, mount it on your windshield for faster processing at toll plazas.

Can I get a refund if I overpay my I-PASS account?

Yes. If your account balance is positive and you no longer need I-PASS, you can request a refund by contacting customer service. Refunds are typically issued to your original payment method within a few weeks.

What if my license plate was misread and I got charged for someone else's toll?

Contact the Illinois Tollway with your invoice number and explain the error. Provide any evidence you have, such as a photo of your vehicle or proof you were elsewhere at the time. Customer service can investigate and adjust your account if the charge was incorrect.