How to Pay Tolls in Minnesota (2026) – Quick & Easy Guide for Drivers

Quick answer: Minnesota tolls run through the E-ZPass Minnesota system. Get an E-ZPass Flex Tag, stick it on your windshield, and the toll gets deducted automatically every time you use an express lane. That is really all there is to it.

But if you want to know the exact corridors, current prices, 2026 construction changes, and how to avoid a fine that can reach $400, keep reading. This guide covers everything a Minnesota driver needs to know right now.

What Is E-ZPass Minnesota?

Minnesota does not use traditional toll booths with cash lanes. The whole system is electronic, and it runs under the E-ZPass brand.

Minnesota officially switched from MnPASS to E-ZPass in August 2021. That rebrand connected Minnesota drivers to a 19-state national network. Your Minnesota account now works on toll roads from Illinois to Maine.

The express lanes are called managed lanes or High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Solo drivers pay a fee. Carpools with two or more riders ride free. Buses always travel for free too.

The system is run by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). You can find your account, transponder info, and corridor maps at the official E-ZPass Minnesota website.

Which Roads Have Toll Lanes in Minnesota?

Not every highway in Minnesota charges a toll. The express lanes are concentrated in the Twin Cities metro area, where congestion is a real daily problem.

Here is the full breakdown of active and upcoming E-ZPass corridors as of 2026:

Important note for 2026: The I-394 East section between Highway 100 and Downtown Minneapolis currently has no tolls due to a major bridge repair project. Those lanes are open to all traffic at no charge through late fall 2026.

Your Payment Options

Minnesota gives drivers three ways to handle toll lanes. Each option works differently, and the costs are not the same.

Option 1: E-ZPass Flex Tag (Best Choice)

This is the smart move for any regular Minnesota driver. The E-ZPass Flex Tag is a small electronic device you place on your windshield. It reads automatically every time you pass a sensor.

The Flex Tag has a physical switch with two modes:

• Solo Mode: You are the only person in the car. The system charges you the posted toll rate.
• HOV Mode: You have at least one passenger. Flip the switch before entering the lane and you ride for free.

Transponder placement matters. Place the tag horizontally on the inside of your windshield, behind the rearview mirror, at least four inches from the top of the glass. See the official tag installation guide for diagrams. Metallic window tinting or vertical placement can cause read failures.

Option 2: Video Tolling (Toll by Plate)

If you enter an express lane without a transponder, cameras capture your license plate. MnDOT mails you an invoice. It works, but it costs more per trip than using a Flex Tag.

Repeated use without a tag leads to escalating fees. The first invoice may be mild. Ignore it, and the costs grow fast.

Option 3: Carpool for Free

This one is easy and completely free. If you have at least one passenger in the car, use your Flex Tag in HOV mode and you pay nothing.

Motorcycles also ride free in E-ZPass lanes at all times and do not need a transponder.

How to Set Up Your E-ZPass Account

Getting started takes about ten minutes. You need a valid payment method and basic vehicle information.

Account Setup Options

1. Go to the E-ZPass Minnesota website and click Sign Up
2. Enter your vehicle information and payment details
3. Pay the $25 minimum initial deposit
4. Select your transponder type
5. Your Flex Tag arrives in the mail within five to seven business days

Prefer talking to a real person? Call MnDOT customer service:

• Phone: 1-866-397-4334
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM Central Time

Account Financial Settings

E-ZPass Minnesota uses a prepaid account. Money is deducted automatically each time you use the lane as a solo driver during peak hours. Full details are on the how E-ZPass works page.

Here are the default financial parameters and what you can customize:

Turn on auto replenishment right away. If your balance hits zero mid-commute, you risk a video tolling invoice. Frequent travelers should raise the replenishment threshold to $20 or higher.

How Toll Prices Work

Toll prices in Minnesota are not fixed. They change every three minutes based on live traffic conditions. This is called dynamic pricing. MnDOT explains the full pricing model on the use and performance page.

The goal is simple: keep the express lanes moving at 50 to 55 miles per hour, even when the general lanes are packed.

Price Range

• Minimum toll: $0.25 (light traffic)
• Maximum toll: $8.00 (heavy congestion)
• Prices update: Every 3 minutes based on real-time volume

Overhead signs show the current price before you enter the lane. If the price looks high, you can stay in the general lanes for free. The express lane is always optional.

Good news: The price you see when you enter is the price you pay. Even if the toll jumps a minute later, you are locked in at the entry price.

An $8.00 toll often signals a crash or major incident in the managed lane. When you see that maximum, it is usually a sign to stay in the general lanes.

2026 Construction Updates That Affect Your Commute

Two major infrastructure projects are changing the toll landscape in 2026. Every Minnesota driver should know about both.

I-394 Bridge Repair Project: Tolls Suspended

Starting February 22, 2026, MnDOT began a $16 million rehabilitation project affecting 34 bridges and ramps along the I-394 and I-94 corridors. Read the full MnDOT project announcement for details.

The reversible E-ZPass lanes between Highway 100 and Downtown Minneapolis are operating as regular driving lanes for all of 2026. There are no tolls in this section, and there are no carpool restrictions. The lanes are open to everyone at no charge.

I-494 Express Lanes: Opening Late 2026

The $377 million I-494 expansion project between Highway 100 and I-35W is scheduled to complete Phase 1 in fall 2026. This project adds a new E-ZPass lane in each direction on one of the metro’s most congested stretches.

When these lanes open, solo drivers will need an active E-ZPass account to use them during peak hours. If you commute through the southern metro, now is a good time to set up your account before the opening.

Tolling Hours by Corridor

Express lanes are not always active. Each corridor has specific hours when solo drivers are charged. Outside these hours, the lanes are free for everyone. Check the MnDOT Express Lanes page for the most current schedule.

• I-35W South (Crystal Lake Rd to Hwy 62): Northbound tolled 6 AM to 10 AM on weekdays
• I-35W South (Hwy 62 to 26th Street): Tolled in both directions during morning and afternoon peak hours
• I-35W North (County Rd C to Lexington Ave): Northbound tolled 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays
• I-35E (County Rd 96 to Cayuga St): Southbound tolled 6 AM to 10 AM and northbound tolled 3 PM to 7 PM
• I-394 West (I-494 to Hwy 100): Free for all motorists about 90% of the day during off-peak hours
• I-394 East (Hwy 100 to Downtown): No tolls through fall 2026 due to construction

What Happens If You Skip the Toll?

Skipping a toll lane without a valid transponder or HOV passenger is not a minor mistake. Minnesota takes enforcement seriously, and the penalties can add up fast.

Video Tolling Invoice

If you enter during peak hours without a tag, cameras record your plate and MnDOT mails you a bill. You can pay invoices online through the MnDOT payment portal using a credit card or electronic check. Credit card payments include a processing fee. Electronic checks are processed without an extra charge.

Here is what the payment window looks like:

Traffic Citations

The Minnesota State Patrol has dedicated troopers monitoring managed lane corridors. Read more about how enforcement works on the MnDOT enforcement page. They check for solo drivers without transponders and for fake carpooling situations.

A managed lane violation is a petty misdemeanor. Here are the estimated fines by county:

The violation rate in Minnesota is around 29% as of 2024. MnDOT has responded by increasing State Patrol presence. Fake carpooling, including mannequins or car seats without real occupants, is actively targeted.

Using E-ZPass Outside Minnesota

Your Minnesota E-ZPass Flex Tag works on toll roads in 19 states. See the full list of compatible networks on the MnDOT national E-ZPass network page. You no longer need a separate transponder when traveling out of state.

However, the rules are very different once you leave Minnesota. Here is what changes:

The Double Tag Warning

Never carry two transponders in the same vehicle at the same time. For example, having both a Minnesota E-ZPass and an Illinois I-PASS active in your car can lead to double-billing for a single trip.

Out-of-state tags also lack the HOV switch found on the Minnesota Flex Tag. An Illinois I-PASS is always in fee-paying mode. If you are carpooling in Minnesota and have a foreign tag active, you will be charged even though you should ride free.

• Keep only one transponder active in your vehicle at a time
• Store out-of-state tags in the original RF-shielded bag when not in use
• Add extra balance to your account before long out-of-state trips

Important: Out-of-state tolls can take up to 60 days to post to a Minnesota account. States like New York and Pennsylvania have much higher toll rates than Minnesota. A standard $25 balance can drain quickly. Raise your replenishment threshold before you travel.

Special Programs and Discounts

Minnesota offers several programs for specific drivers. Check whether you qualify before assuming you will pay the standard rate.

Electric Vehicle Credits

Through October 31, 2027, MnDOT provides a one-time toll credit for EV owners. Check the MnDOT news and updates page for the latest eligibility details.

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV): One-time $250 credit
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV): One-time $125 credit

To qualify, your vehicle must have been purchased or leased between November 1, 2019, and the program end date. Submit proof of purchase to [email protected]. Credits apply only to Minnesota E-ZPass lanes and cannot be used on out-of-state tolls.

Motorcycles

Motorcycles ride free in E-ZPass Minnesota lanes at all times. No transponder is required. As of July 1, 2025, Minnesota also legalized lane sharing for motorcycles.

• Lane splitting: Motorcycles can pass vehicles in moving traffic at no more than 25 mph, and no more than 15 mph faster than surrounding traffic
• Lane filtering: Motorcycles can move through stopped traffic at speeds no greater than 15 mph
• Prohibited zones: Roundabouts, school zones, work zones with single-lane traffic, and on-ramps

Car drivers: be aware of motorcycles sharing lanes in the concurrent-flow managed lane sections, especially on I-35W and I-394 West during slow peak hours.

Commercial Vehicles

• Small commercial vehicles (2 axle, under 26,000 lbs): Permitted in E-ZPass lanes at solo driver rates
• Large trucks and heavy commercial vehicles: Strictly prohibited from managed lanes

Rental Cars

If you rent a car and want to use express lanes, bring your own E-ZPass Flex Tag. Add the rental vehicle’s license plate to your account through the E-ZPass Minnesota account portal before you use the lanes.

Remove the rental plate from your account as soon as you return the car. If you forget, you could end up paying for tolls charged to the next renter.

Cash Toll Bridges in Minnesota

Minnesota has two border crossings that do not use E-ZPass and do not have electronic payment. These are the only places in the state where you need actual cash for a toll.

International Falls Bridge

• Connects International Falls, Minnesota, to Fort Frances, Ontario
• Operated by Boise Cascade
• Toll: $7.00 round trip for a standard 2-axle car
• Cash only at a manned toll booth
• No electronic or credit card payment options

Fargo-Moorhead Bridge

• Connects Minnesota to North Dakota
• Toll: $0.75 one way for 2-axle vehicles
• Cash only at a manned booth
• No E-ZPass or electronic transponder accepted

Quick Tips for Smarter E-ZPass Use

Before you hit the road, run through this checklist. These are the things that catch drivers off guard most often.

• Check the overhead sign before you merge. The price is displayed before the entrance point. You can also review corridor info on the MnDOT driving guide.
• Set your tag to HOV mode before entering the lane, not after.
• Turn on auto replenishment so your balance never hits zero unexpectedly.
• Keep your payment information current in your account. An expired card means your balance cannot replenish.
• If you travel out of state, add extra balance and raise your replenishment threshold.
• Store any out-of-state transponders in their shielded bag when driving in Minnesota.
• Remove rental car plates from your account the moment you return the vehicle.
• If you get a toll notice in the mail, pay promptly through the MnDOT payment portal to avoid escalating fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Minnesota highways have tolls?

No. Tolls only apply to E-ZPass Express Lanes on specific Twin Cities metro highways. General purpose lanes are always free.

Can I pay with cash in the express lanes?

No. The express lane system is entirely electronic. The only cash tolls in the state are at the International Falls Bridge and the Fargo-Moorhead Bridge.

What does the $25 deposit cover?

The $25 deposit goes into your prepaid account balance. It is not a fee. The money gets spent on actual tolls. If you close your account with no outstanding charges, you get the remaining balance back.

Does E-ZPass work if I rent a car?

Yes, but you need to add the rental vehicle’s plate to your account through the account portal before using the express lanes. Remove it as soon as you return the car.

What happens if I use an express lane while in HOV mode, but I am actually alone?

State Patrol troopers monitor the managed lanes and can pull over vehicles they suspect of fake carpooling. The fine ranges from $150 to $400, depending on the county. It is not worth it.

Is the I-394 East section really free right now?

Yes. As of February 22, 2026, the reversible managed lanes between Highway 100 and Downtown Minneapolis are operating as regular lanes with no tolls. See the MnDOT project announcement for the full timeline.

Ready to Take the Fast Lane?

Paying tolls in Minnesota comes down to one smart move: get an E-ZPass Flex Tag. Sign up at the official E-ZPass Minnesota website, pay the $25 deposit, and you are set.

The express lanes are optional. The general lanes are always free. But for regular Twin Cities commuters, a Flex Tag pays for itself quickly, especially if you carpool even a few days a week.

One last thing worth knowing: the I-394 East corridor is free for all of 2026 due to construction. See the full details in the MnDOT construction update. Take advantage of it while it lasts.

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.