What to know about tolls in Dallas-Fort Worth: How much they cost, who runs them and more
If you’ve driven around Dallas and Fort Worth at all, you’ve probably turned onto one of the various toll roads in North Texas.
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If it’s your first time on one of these tollways, you might be wondering how much it’s going to cost you, who’s going to bill you and more. Rest easy, because we’ve got you covered.
Here’s everything you need to know about toll roads in D-FW:
Where are they?
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) operates five toll roads, two bridges and one tunnel in North Texas.
There are nine TEXpress — express lanes — on public roads throughout North Texas. Six of these, mostly on the east side of the D-FW area, are operated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The other three are operated by North Tarrant Express and LBJ Express.
There is a toll gate at the north and south entrances to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. It typically costs motorists $2 if they spend between eight and 30 minutes inside the airport.
How much do they cost?
How much you pay on a toll road can vary widely.
Don’t let Google decide who you trust.
NTTA’s roads use fixed which are set during its annual budget approval process. Typically those rates increase on odd-numbered years according to the NTTA. Charges are closely aligned to the number of miles driven on a toll road, but other factors determine the exact final price. Click or tap here to use the NTTA’s toll calculator.
Related: Where does my toll money go? Five most common misconceptions about the NTTA
TEXpress lanes work differently. Those rates vary based on congestion along the main road. The more traffic on the main road, the higher the toll to drive in the express lane. This is done to keep traffic moving at 50 mph or faster, according to TxDOT.
This dynamic pricing means that motorists could pay as little as 15 cents per mile during light traffic and 90 cents or more per mile to access the TEXpress lane during a period of heavy traffic.
Generally, tolls collected go toward paying for the road’s operations, including maintenance, staffing and paying off debts incurred during the road’s construction.
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How do I pay them?
NTTA gives drivers two options to pay their tolls: ZipCash or a TollTag.
The free TollTag has the benefit of getting motorists the lowest available rate and automatic payments on NTTA roads. You can get the tag online, in person at an NTTA Customer Service Center or you can call at 972-818-NTTA (6882) or 817-731-NTTA (6882). You can also use NTTA’s TollMate App to open and manage a TollTag account.
NTTA offers $40, $20 and $10 TollTags depending on how often you plan to use tollways. The amount for each signals the balance available on the tag to pay tolls. Drivers need a vehicle license plate number, vehicle year, make & model and a credit or debit card to open a TollTag account.
Related: A timeline of how tolls spread in Texas
Motorists with a TollTag are also eligible for free roadside assistance on NTTA roads when they dial #999 and other perks. The tag also works beyond North Texas, on toll roads across the state and in Oklahoma, Kansas and parts of Colorado and Florida.
The second option, ZipCash, is for drivers on tollways without a TollTag. Cameras take images of a vehicle’s license plate and a bill is sent to its registered owner. You can pay these bills online, by phone or in person. ZipCash users can also sign up for automatic monthly payments to avoid late fees and other penalties.
One important thing to note is that motorists paying via ZipCash will pay rates twice as high as those available with a TollTag.
What is the penalty for not paying?
Those with a TollTag are enrolled in automatic payments, but drivers who receive a ZipCash bill are responsible for paying. If paid within 25 days, the bill is for only the tolls owed.
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Related: What to know if you get an NTTA Zipcash bill
Late fees can add up to $35 if a motorist receives several notices of nonpayment. Unpaid tolls can even be sent to collections after a bill is 100 days past due, impacting a driver’s credit score. Beyond that, NTTA can also take legal action including car registration blocks and bans from NTTA roads as a result of recurring violations.
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Staff Writer Hedija Spahalic contributed to this report.
