How to Pay Tolls in Maryland (2026) – E-ZPass, Video Tolling & Payment Options Explained

Picture this: you’re cruising down I-95 toward the Fort McHenry Tunnel on a Friday afternoon, zero E-ZPass, and a line of cars backed up behind you. Not ideal. Maryland went fully cashless in 2020, so every single toll road now runs on E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, Video Tolling, or the newer NextPass app option. The single best thing you can do before driving in this state is grab an E-ZPass Maryland, because it cuts your toll costs by up to 77% compared to Video Tolling.

Ready to stop overpaying and start driving smarter? Let’s get into it.

The Quick Answer First

Maryland accepts four forms of toll payment: E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, Video Tolling, and NextPass. There is no cash option anywhere in the state. E-ZPass always gives you the lowest rates. Video Tolling bills you by mail at the highest rate if you have nothing else. The MDTA customer service line is 1-888-321-6824, and the official toll-related portal is DriveEzMD.com.

First-Time Visitor? Read This First

Never driven in Maryland before? No worries, here is what you actually need to know before your trip.

All eight major MDTA toll facilities in Maryland are fully electronic. You will not find a toll booth attendant waiting to take your dollar bills. Cameras photograph every vehicle’s license plate at highway speed, and either your transponder account is charged automatically, or a Notice of Toll Due (NOTD) lands in your mailbox a few weeks later.

Three things to do before you arrive:

1. Check whether your existing transponder (E-ZPass from another state, for example) is interoperable with Maryland
2. If not, open an E-ZPass Maryland account, set up Pay-By-Plate, or download the NextPass app
3. Make sure the address on your vehicle registration is current so any invoice reaches you on time

That’s really it. Maryland’s system is modern, and it works well as long as you know the rules going in.

What Roads in Maryland Collect Tolls?

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) oversees eight toll facilities across the state. Importantly, not all facilities collect tolls in both directions, so knowing the direction saves you from budgeting for a toll that does not exist on your return trip. Here’s exactly where you’ll encounter tolling and which way:

• Interstate 95 (JFK Memorial Highway), northbound only, between the Delaware state line and Baltimore
• Fort McHenry Tunnel, both directions, carrying I-95 under the Patapsco River
• Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, both directions, on I-895
• Bay Bridge (William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge), eastbound only, on US-50/301 to the Eastern Shore
• Harry W. Nice/Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge, southbound only, on US-301 over the Potomac River
• Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge, eastbound only, on US-40 over the Susquehanna River
• I-95 Express Toll Lanes, variable direction, north of Baltimore
• Intercounty Connector (MD-200), variable, between I-370 and US-1

And yes, the Francis Scott Key Bridge is still closed following its collapse in March 2024. Reconstruction is underway with an anticipated open-to-traffic date of late 2030. More on that later in the article.

Your Four Payment Options Compared

Maryland offers four ways to pay tolls, ranging from the most economical to the most expensive. Understanding the difference between them takes about five minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

E-ZPass Maryland: The Smartest Option

E-ZPass remains the gold standard for Maryland tolls in 2026. The RFID transponder mounts to your windshield or license plate frame and communicates with overhead gantries at highway speed, deducting the toll from your pre-funded account automatically. No slowing down. No invoices. No stress.

How to get one:

1. Create an account at DriveEzMD.com
2. Choose your transponder type (standard windshield or license plate mount)
3. Make an initial deposit of $25, which goes entirely toward toll charges
4. Receive your transponder in 5 to 7 business days

Transponders are free for Maryland residents, and there are no monthly maintenance fees for Maryland-address accounts. Out-of-state residents who make fewer than three Maryland toll trips per month are assessed a $1.50 monthly maintenance fee.

If you need a transponder before it arrives in the mail, walk into any MDTA Customer Service Center and pick up an “E-ZPass On the Go” package with a pre-loaded $25 balance, ready for immediate use after online registration.

Specialty hardware: The E-ZPass Flex transponder features a switch for HOV mode on Virginia’s express lanes and costs $16.50. Worth it if you regularly commute through Northern Virginia on toll roads with HOV exemptions.

Financial penalties for insufficient funds: A $25 fee applies to returned bank checks and a $7 fee applies to rejected ACH transactions. Set up auto-replenishment to avoid these entirely.

One important warning: Third-party bill-payment services like Doxo, Prism, and Mint are not affiliated with the MDTA. Using them to pay Video Tolls risks delayed transmission, and if payment does not reach MDTA by the invoice due date, you remain fully liable for civil penalties regardless of when you paid the third party. Use only DriveEzMD.com or the official app.

Pay-By-Plate: The Transponder-Free Middle Ground

Pay-By-Plate is a registered account where you link your license plate and a credit card at DriveEzMD.com. Cameras read your plate at each toll gantry and charge your card automatically. No transponder required, no invoices in the mail, and no surprises.

The main limitation: Pay-By-Plate only works on Maryland MDTA toll facilities. It has no interstate interoperability, so it is not useful if you drive toll roads in other states. Rates sit between E-ZPass and Video Tolling, generally matching the old cash rates.

Video Tolling: The Most Expensive Option

Video Tolling kicks in when you drive through any MDTA facility with no transponder and no registered plate account. Cameras capture your plate, MDTA queries the Motor Vehicle Administration to identify the registered owner, and a Notice of Toll Due arrives by mail within a few weeks.

Video Toll rates run 1.5 times the base rate, with a minimum $1 and maximum $15 surcharge above the base rate per transaction. At some facilities, that means paying double or more what an E-ZPass holder pays for the exact same crossing.

Little-known tip: You can save up to 15% (up to $5) per Video Toll transaction by paying online at DriveEzMD.com before your NOTD is even mailed. The toll typically posts to the portal within a few days of your trip, so checking there first is always worth doing.

NextPass: The App-Based Option

NextPass is a newer entry that most Maryland toll guides ignore entirely. It works as a pay-as-you-go app with no transponder required and operates on Maryland roads as well as toll facilities in several other states.

If you travel infrequently and do not want to bother with a transponder or pre-funded account, NextPass sits somewhere between Pay-By-Plate and a full E-ZPass account in terms of convenience and cost. Visit nextpass.io for the current rate and coverage details before relying on it for regular use.

Out-of-State and Rental Car Drivers

If you’re visiting Maryland from another state or picking up a rental, your toll situation depends entirely on what you’re already carrying. The good news is that most scenarios have a clean solution.

Already Have an Out-of-State E-ZPass?

Any E-ZPass transponder from the 19-state network works on Maryland toll roads. You will be charged the out-of-state E-ZPass rate, which is slightly higher than the Maryland resident rate at most facilities.

You also cannot access Maryland-specific discount plans without a Maryland account. For occasional visits, that is perfectly fine. For regular commuters crossing from Delaware or Virginia, opening a Maryland account starts saving you money on day one.

Rental Cars

Most major rental companies enroll their vehicles in a toll billing program and charge your card automatically, plus a daily convenience fee ranging from $5 to $15 per day. On a week-long rental that fee adds up fast, sometimes exceeding the actual tolls themselves.

Your cleanest option is opening a Pay-By-Plate account at DriveEzMD.com, adding your rental car’s plate temporarily, and paying the toll directly at the lower registered-account rate without the rental company’s surcharge.

E-ZPass Maryland Discount Plans

Already have E-ZPass Maryland? Good news: you can stack additional savings on top of the already-discounted E-ZPass rate through facility-specific commuter plans. These are worth knowing about because the per-trip savings compound quickly for regular users.

Bay Bridge Commuter Plan

Pay $35 for 25 trips valid for 45 days. That works out to $1.40 per crossing, versus $2.50 at the standard E-ZPass rate. Cross twice a day, five days a week, and this plan saves you meaningful money every month.

Bay Bridge Shoppers Discount Plan

Pay $20 for 10 trips usable Sunday through Thursday, valid for 90 days. This one targets casual Eastern Shore travelers rather than daily commuters. It is a smart option if you head to the beach or outlets several times a month but do not need a full commuter plan.

Baltimore Area Commuter Plan

This plan costs $70 for 50 trips and covers the Fort McHenry Tunnel, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, JFK Memorial Highway, and the Hatem Bridge. Note that two trips are deducted per crossing of the JFK Highway and Hatem Bridge since those are longer, higher-rate facilities. Frequent Baltimore metro commuters should calculate potential savings on the DriveEzMD discount plans page.

Hatem Bridge Plans (Choice A and Choice B)

Both options offer unlimited trips for a flat annual fee of $20. If you cross the Susquehanna River regularly on US-40, this plan effectively eliminates your per-crossing cost. The two variants differ slightly in account setup and fee structure, so review both on the DriveEzMD portal before choosing.

Low-Income Toll Discount Program (LITD)

Maryland runs one of the more useful toll equity programs in the country, and not nearly enough drivers know it exists. The Low-Income Toll Discount program provides a significant rate reduction for qualifying Maryland residents on E-ZPass Maryland accounts, with the discount applied automatically every time your transponder reads at a toll facility.

Eligibility is based on household income. You apply through the DriveEzMD portal and provide proof of income. For current income thresholds and eligibility requirements, check directly at DriveEzMD.com since these figures are updated periodically. If you commute daily and income is a factor, this program is worth 10 minutes of your time to investigate.

2026 Maryland Toll Rates: Every Facility, Every Method

Now that you know the payment options, here are the actual numbers. These are the confirmed 2026 rates for standard two-axle passenger vehicles per the MDTA toll rate tables. Rates for other axle counts and commercial vehicles are available on the MDTA website.

Bay Bridge (US-50/301): Eastbound Only

Commuter plan holders pay just $1.40 per crossing. Westbound crossings back toward Annapolis are free.

Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) and Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895): Both Directions

Both tunnel facilities share identical rates:

JFK Memorial Highway (I-95) and Hatem Bridge (US-40): Northbound and Eastbound Only

These are the priciest fixed-rate facilities in the MDTA network, so E-ZPass savings here are the most dramatic. A Video Toll commuter doing this run five days a week burns an extra $1,560 per year compared to an E-ZPass Maryland holder.

Nice/Middleton Bridge (US-301): Southbound Only

Dynamic Pricing: ICC/MD-200 and I-95 Express Toll Lanes

These facilities use congestion pricing, meaning your rate changes based on the time of day and real-time traffic demand. The goal is to keep these roads free-flowing by raising prices during rush hour and dropping them overnight to reward off-peak travelers.

ICC/MD-200 (per mile, 2-axle vehicles):

For a full trip from I-370 to US-1, an E-ZPass user pays about $3.86 during peak hours, $2.98 off-peak, and $1.23 overnight. The math strongly favors traveling the ICC outside rush hour if your schedule allows it.

I-95 Express Toll Lanes (I-895 to MD-152, Northbound):

You must have E-ZPass to use the Express Toll Lanes. Pay-By-Plate and Video Tolling are not accepted there.

2026 Complete Toll Rate Quick-Reference

Use this table as your at-a-glance summary before any trip. All rates are for standard two-axle passenger vehicles.

Rates confirmed from MDTA toll rate tables, March 2026. Always verify current rates at mdta.maryland.gov before travel.

What Happens If You Never Pay? The Full Escalation Path

This is the section most people skip, and it is genuinely the one worth reading most carefully. Maryland does not forget unpaid tolls, and the penalties compound faster than most people expect.

Here is exactly what happens if that NOTD sits unopened on your kitchen counter:

1. NOTD issued: You have 30 days to pay the toll amount before anything escalates
2. Civil citation and $25 penalty: Miss the deadline and a formal civil citation is issued with a $25 penalty per violation
3. Referral to the Central Collection Unit (CCU): Continued non-payment sends your debt to the CCU, which can add collection fees and affect your credit score
4. Vehicle registration hold: The MVA refuses to renew or may suspend the registration of any vehicle with significant unpaid toll debt
5. Court action: At the most serious level, the matter can proceed to civil court

One unpaid $2.50 Bay Bridge toll can realistically cost you $25 or more in penalties by the time it escalates. Just pay it. Seriously.

Installment Plan for High Debt (House Bill 1465)

If you are already sitting on $300 or more in unpaid tolls and penalties, Maryland’s Video Toll Installment Plan under House Bill 1465 gives you a structured path out. By signing a Promissory Note and making an initial payment, you can:

• Get the MVA registration holds released immediately once the plan activates
• Receive partial penalty abatement on debt not yet sent to the CCU
• Pay the remaining balance in structured monthly installments

Missing a payment under the installment plan reinstates the original full debt and reapplies any MVA holds. The plan is available at DriveEzMD.com/installment-plan.

Senate Bill 956: Waiver Authority After CCU Referral

The 2026 legislative session passed Senate Bill 956, which grants the MDTA new authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties even after they have been referred to the CCU. Previously, once your debt went to collections, MDTA had very limited flexibility to negotiate. If you have old debt sitting in collections, it is now worth calling 1-888-321-6824 directly to ask about your options under the new waiver authority.

Common Toll Problems and How to Fix Them

Even experienced Maryland drivers run into issues from time to time. Here are the most common problems, why they happen, and exactly what to do about each one.

Transponder Not Reading at the Gantry

The most common culprit is metallic windshield tinting, which blocks the RFID signal between the transponder and the overhead reader. If your car has this type of tint, mount the transponder on a clear strip of glass near the rearview mirror. A failed read on a registered account results in an Image Toll (ITOL), charged at a rate higher than standard E-ZPass but lower than Video Tolling.

Other common causes include improper mounting angle, low transponder battery, or simply leaving the transponder in another vehicle.

Received a Violation Notice

Act immediately. Log into your DriveEzMD account or call 1-888-321-6824 to dispute or pay before additional penalties apply. If you have mitigating circumstances, Senate Bill 956 now gives MDTA more flexibility to waive penalties even at the CCU stage, so do not assume it is too late to call.

Wrong Toll Due to Axle Miscounting

MDTA charges by axle count. If you were towing a trailer and the system miscounted your configuration, file a dispute through your DriveEzMD account with your trip date, time, and facility details. Note that House Bill 246 (2026) now explicitly extends toll liability to trailer owners in the same manner as standard vehicle owners, closing a previous enforcement loophole.

Using Third-Party Apps to Pay

Do not use third-party payment services like Doxo, Prism, or Mint to pay Maryland tolls. The MDTA is not affiliated with any of these services, and delayed transmission can leave you fully liable for civil penalties even if you paid the third party on time. Always pay directly at DriveEzMD.com or through the official DriveEzMD app.

Managing Your Account: The DriveEzMD App

The DriveEzMD Mobile App, available on the App Store and Google Play, is the fastest way to stay on top of your account from anywhere. It received significant updates in 2026 that go well beyond basic balance checks.

New and updated features in 2026:

• Apple Pay integration (version 3.60): One-tap payments for toll invoices and account replenishment
• Court scheduling: Contest a toll citation and book a court date directly from the app, without a phone call
• Biometric login: FaceID and fingerprint authentication to protect your payment details
• Push notifications: Real-time alerts when your balance drops low or a new toll posts to your account

Set up auto-replenishment so your balance refills automatically when it falls below your threshold, typically $10 or 25% of average monthly usage. Running a zero balance through a gantry results in an ITOL charge at a higher rate, and it is a completely avoidable expense.

Customer Service Center Hours and Locations

Sometimes you need to talk to a real person, and the MDTA has expanded its in-person service footprint for 2026 to make that easier. Whether you need to pick up a transponder, resolve a registration hold, or contest a violation in person, here is where to go.

Facility-based CSCs at the Bay Bridge, JFK Highway, Fort McHenry Tunnel, and other major crossings now offer expanded hours:

• Monday through Friday: Standard daytime hours
• Thursday evenings: Open until 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday mornings: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

MVA branch locations at Gaithersburg, Beltsville, and Elkton now host full DriveEzMD service desks. These locations require a prior appointment, which you can book by calling 1-888-321-6824. This is particularly useful if you need to simultaneously resolve a registration hold and handle other vehicle-related paperwork at the same visit.

The phone-based call center is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild: What You Need to Know in 2026

The collapse of the Key Bridge in March 2024 continues to affect traffic patterns around Baltimore, and it will for years to come. If you drive the Baltimore Beltway regularly, here is a current status update so you can plan your routes accordingly.

Construction phase: The project has moved from debris removal to active foundation work. Demolition of the remaining original ramps and above-ground piers began in July 2025 and continues into early 2026. Engineers are currently running the Test Pile Program, driving test piles into the Patapsco riverbed to validate the new foundation design under real load conditions before full construction begins.

The new bridge design: The replacement will be Maryland’s first highway cable-stayed bridge, featuring a main span of 1,665 feet and towers reaching 600 feet in height. Vertical clearance increases to 230 feet, up from 185 feet on the original structure, specifically to accommodate larger cargo vessels and reduce future collision risk.

Cost and timeline: Initial estimates ran under $2 billion. Current 2026 estimates have climbed to $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion due to the complexity of the cable-stayed design, material cost inflation, and enhanced vessel collision protection systems. The anticipated open-to-traffic date is late 2030.

Traffic diversions currently in effect: All I-695 Outer Loop traffic is diverted at MD 173 and Inner Loop traffic at MD 151. Additionally, hazardous materials, including bulk gasoline and propane exceeding 10 pounds per container are prohibited from the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels and must route via the western Beltway instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need E-ZPass to drive on Maryland toll roads?

No. You can drive through any MDTA facility without a transponder and receive a Video Toll invoice by mail. However, Video Toll rates are up to 2.4 times the E-ZPass Maryland rate, so the convenience comes at a steep cost.

Q: How do I look up a Maryland toll violation?

Go to DriveEzMD.com and use the “Search for Tolls” function. You can search by the mailing number on your NOTD, your license plate, or your zip code.

Q: How do I log in to my E-ZPass Maryland account?

Visit DriveEzMD.com and click “Sign In.” You can also manage everything through the DriveEzMD mobile app on iOS and Android.

Q: How do I fight a Maryland toll violation?

Call 1-888-321-6824 or submit a dispute through your DriveEzMD account portal. Thanks to the 2026 Senate Bill 956, MDTA now has the authority to waive penalties even on debts already referred to the CCU, so it is worth calling regardless of how old the violation is.

Q: What if I owe more than $300 in unpaid tolls?

Apply for the Video Toll Installment Plan at DriveEzMD.com/installment-plan. Under House Bill 1465, you can get MVA holds released immediately, receive partial penalty abatement, and pay the balance in structured monthly installments.

Q: Does my E-ZPass work in other states?

Yes. E-ZPass Maryland is accepted at toll facilities across 19 states from Maine to Illinois and down to North Carolina.

Q: What is the difference between Pay-By-Plate and Video Tolling?

Pay-By-Plate is a registered account where you pre-link your plate and credit card. Tolls charge automatically at a rate between E-ZPass and Video Tolling. Video Tolling applies when you have no account at all and a bill arrives by mail at the highest applicable rate. Pay-By-Plate only works on Maryland facilities, while Video Tolling follows any unregistered vehicle on any MDTA road by default.

Stop Overthinking It and Just Drive Smart

Maryland’s toll system is honestly one of the cleaner ones on the East Coast once you know how it works. No cash lanes, no fumbling for quarters, no waiting behind someone arguing about exact change at a booth. The whole thing runs electronically and, for the most part, works exactly as advertised.

The action plan is simple: Open an E-ZPass Maryland account at DriveEzMD.com, fund it with the $25 deposit, and wait 5 to 7 business days for your transponder. If you commute regularly, add the discount plan that matches your route.

If you are driving through once and have no transponder, pay that Video Toll invoice promptly before the 30-day escalation window closes. And if you already have unpaid debt sitting at the CCU, the new Senate Bill 956 waiver authority means picking up the phone is now worth more than it used to be.

Maryland tolls are only a headache if you ignore them. Stay on top of your account, pay invoices fast, and the whole thing runs quietly in the background while you focus on the actual drive.

For current toll rates and facility updates, always verify directly with the Maryland Transportation Authority and the DriveEzMD customer portal.

Pavithra Vinoth

Pavithra Vinoth is the founder of nytollsinfo.com, where she simplifies U.S. toll systems through expert insights and custom-built calculators. Her research-driven tools help drivers avoid costly mistakes and make smarter car decisions.