You open your browser to pay a toll bill, type in TxTag.org, and land on a page that redirects you somewhere completely new. What happened? Starting in late 2024, TxTag management officially moved from TxDOT to the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA). By 2026, that transition is fully complete, and everything now runs through the HCTRA system.
This guide walks you through exactly how to log in, manage your account, pay your bills, and stay on top of your tolls in 2026. No fluff, just the information you actually need.
- The Big Change: TxTag Now Lives on HCTRA
- How to Log Into Your TxTag Account in 2026
- What You Can Do Inside Your Account
- 2026 Toll Rates: What You Are Actually Paying
- The Unmounted Tag Surcharge: A Fee Nobody Talks About
- The Texas by Texas (TxT) App: Your Digital Hub
- Watch Out for TxTag Scams
- Common Login Problems and Quick Fixes
- Your TxTag Checklist for 2026
- Your Road, Your Responsibility: Keep That Account Active
The Big Change: TxTag Now Lives on HCTRA
This is the most important thing to understand before you do anything else. TxTag.org no longer hosts its own account portal. The website now redirects users to HCTRA.org, which is the Harris County Toll Road Authority website.
Think of it this way: TxTag is still the brand you know. HCTRA is the engine running everything behind the scenes.
What This Means for You
If your account was active before the migration, here is what happened:
- Active accounts (positive balance, at least one toll in the past 12 months) were automatically moved to the HCTRA database
- Dormant accounts (no activity for over a year) were closed, and any remaining balance was refunded by check
- Accounts with unpaid balances were also excluded from the migration
If your account was migrated, your old TxTag transponder still works across the Texas toll network. You do not need a new tag.
If your account was closed, you will need to create a brand new account at HCTRA.org.
How to Log Into Your TxTag Account in 2026
Getting into your account is a straightforward process once you know where to go. Head to HCTRA.org/Login and sign in using the credentials you set up during the migration.
Logging In for the First Time After Migration
If you have not logged in since the transition, you will need to go through a “First Time Login” process. Here is how it works:
- Visit HCTRA.org
- Click “Sign In” at the top of the page
- Select “First Time Login” if this is your first access after migration
- Verify your account number and registered email address
- Set a new password and confirm your identity via multi-factor authentication
- You are in
Once set up, future logins just require your email and password.
Forgot Your Password?
No problem. Here is the quick fix:
- Click “Forgot Password?” on the login screen
- Enter your registered email address
- Check your inbox for a reset link (also check your spam folder)
- Follow the link to create a new password
HCTRA now uses multi-factor authentication, so you may also receive a verification code via text message or email during the reset process.
What You Can Do Inside Your Account
Once you are logged in, the HCTRA dashboard gives you full control over your tolling account. It is clean, functional, and covers everything you need.
Check Your Account Balance
Your current balance sits front and center on the dashboard. This is the most important number to watch. If your balance drops too low, you will start getting charged at the higher Pay by Mail rate on every single toll.
View Your Toll Transaction History
Your account stores a full record of every toll you have paid. Each entry shows:
- Date and time of the toll
- Location of the toll plaza or express lane
- Amount charged
- Running balance after each transaction
This is also where you would catch billing errors. Spot a charge you do not recognize? Flag it early, because disputing older charges takes more time and effort.
Add Funds and Manage Auto Replenishment
You can add money to your account manually at any time. But the smarter move is setting up auto replenishment so your balance refills automatically before it runs out.
Here is how auto-replenishment works based on how many vehicles are on your account:
| Number of Vehicles | Minimum Prepaid Deposit | Auto Replenishment Triggers At |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | $10.00 | $2.50 to $5.00 |
| 3 to 4 | $20.00 | $5.00 to $10.00 |
| 5 to 6 | $30.00 | $7.50 to $15.00 |
| 7 to 8 | $40.00 | $10.00 to $20.00 |
Set it and forget it. Seriously, auto-replenishment is the single best thing you can do to avoid extra fees.
Add or Remove Vehicles
Need to add a new car or remove an old one? You can do this instantly from the account dashboard. This is especially useful if you manage multiple vehicles in a household or if you recently bought or sold a car.
2026 Toll Rates: What You Are Actually Paying
Toll rates in Texas are not fixed. They adjust annually, and in 2026 several key roads increased their rates by around 3%. Knowing the rates helps you understand why keeping your tag mounted and your account funded matters so much financially.
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) Rates
The CTRMA manages toll roads in the Austin area. These rates became effective on January 1, 2026.
| Facility | Segment or Location | 2-Axle TxTag | 3-Axle TxTag | 5-Axle TxTag | 2-Axle Pay by Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 183A Toll | Whitewing Mainline | $1.33 | $2.66 | $5.32 | $10.00 |
| 183A Toll | Park Street Mainline | $2.00 | $4.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 |
| 290 Toll | Giles Lane Mainline | $1.53 | $3.06 | $6.12 | $6.90 |
| 71 Toll Lane | Mainline Segment | $1.17 | $2.34 | $4.68 | $1.76 |
| 45SW Toll | Bear Creek Mainline | $1.26 | $2.52 | $5.04 | $1.89 |
| 183 Toll | MLK Blvd / 51st St | $1.55 | $3.10 | $6.20 | $4.66 |
Source: Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
Look at that gap between the TxTag rate and the Pay by Mail rate on 183A. You pay $2.00 with a tag, or $15.00 without one. That is not a typo. Keeping your account active and your tag properly mounted is a genuine money saver.
State Highway 249 (Tomball Tollway) Rates
These rates apply to SH 249 in Montgomery and Grimes counties, effective January 1, 2026.
| SH 249 Segment | 2-Axle Tag | 3-Axle Tag | 4-Axle Tag | 5-Axle Tag | 6-Axle Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramps S. of FM 149 | $0.63 | $1.26 | $1.89 | $2.52 | $3.15 |
| Mainlane N. of FM 149 | $2.03 | $4.06 | $6.09 | $8.12 | $10.15 |
| Ramps S. of FM 1486 | $0.98 | $1.96 | $2.94 | $3.92 | $4.90 |
| Mainlane N. of CR 115 | $2.65 | $5.30 | $7.95 | $10.60 | $13.25 |
Source: TxDOT SH 249 Toll Rates
Drivers without a tag pay the base rate plus 50% more, plus additional administrative fees per transaction. The math always favors having a tag.
The Unmounted Tag Surcharge: A Fee Nobody Talks About
Here is something that catches a lot of drivers off guard. If your transponder sticker is not permanently mounted to your windshield behind the rearview mirror, you get hit with a 10% surcharge on every single toll transaction.
This rule has been in effect since 2024 and is fully enforced in 2026. The reason is simple: when your tag is just sitting on the dashboard or tucked in the glove box, the RFID reader cannot reliably pick up the signal. The system falls back to license plate recognition, which costs more to process.
The fix is easy:
- Peel the backing off your transponder sticker
- Mount it on the inside of your windshield
- Place it directly behind the rearview mirror
- Make sure nothing obstructs the signal
Do this once and never worry about it again. For full installation details, check the HCTRA TxTag Welcome Page.
The Texas by Texas (TxT) App: Your Digital Hub
Beyond the HCTRA portal, there is another tool worth knowing about. The Texas by Texas app (also called TxT) is a state-built digital assistant that connects multiple government services in one place.
Why does it matter for toll users? Because unpaid tolls can block your vehicle registration renewal. The TxT app shows any outstanding toll debts directly on your personal dashboard as action items, making it easy to spot and clear them before your registration lapses.
You can download the TxT app here:
The app also handles vehicle registration renewal, driver’s license management, and other state services. It is genuinely useful for any Texas driver.
Watch Out for TxTag Scams
Unfortunately, scammers have gotten clever about targeting toll users. Fake text messages claiming you have unpaid “service charges” or “outstanding violations” have become increasingly common in 2026.
These messages typically include a link to a fake payment portal designed to steal your credit card information.
Here is how to tell a real TxTag or HCTRA message from a fake one:
Legitimate messages come from these short codes only:
- 38047
- 27974
- 87038
Real messages will NEVER:
- Ask for your Social Security Number via text
- Ask for full credit card details via a link in a text message
- Come from a random long phone number
If something seems off, go directly to HCTRA.org yourself. Do not click any links in suspicious text messages.
Common Login Problems and Quick Fixes
Even the smoothest systems have hiccups. Here are the most common login issues and how to resolve them quickly.
| Problem | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Account not found | Try a different email address you may have used at signup |
| Password not working | Use the “Forgot Password” flow and reset via email |
| Account locked | Wait 30 minutes, then reset your password. Call support if still locked. |
| Page not loading | Clear your browser cache or try a different browser |
| Redirected from TxTag.org | This is expected. You now manage your account at HCTRA.org |
Still stuck? Call HCTRA customer support at 1-888-468-9824. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.
Your TxTag Checklist for 2026
Before we wrap up, here is a quick reference list to make sure everything is in order on your account.
Account setup:
- Log in at HCTRA.org and verify your account is active
- Complete the “First Time Login” if you have not logged in since the migration
- Confirm your email address and contact details are current
Transponder:
- Make sure your tag sticker is permanently mounted on the windshield behind the rearview mirror
- Avoid the 10% unmounted tag surcharge by keeping it properly affixed
Payments and balance:
- Set up auto replenishment so your balance never hits zero unexpectedly
- Review your transaction history at least once a month
- Update your payment card before it expires
Compliance:
- Download the Texas by Texas (TxT) app to monitor your overall compliance status
- Respond to any invoices within 30 days to avoid late fees
Your Road, Your Responsibility: Keep That Account Active
The most important takeaway from all of this is straightforward. The 2026 Texas toll system is designed around one assumption: that you are an active, digital user with a funded account and a properly mounted tag.
Drivers who keep their accounts in order pay the lowest rates, avoid fees, and never have to worry about registration blocks or collection agencies. Drivers who ignore the system end up paying dramatically more for the exact same roads.
Logging in takes 45 seconds. Setting up auto replenishment takes two minutes. Mounting your tag takes one minute. Those small actions protect you from a surprisingly long list of headaches down the road.
Got questions or ran into a specific issue? Drop it in the comments or head straight to HCTRA.org for the most current account support.
Sources referenced in this article:
- HCTRA Welcome TxTag Customers
- HCTRA TxTag FAQ
- TxDOT Toll Roads and Managed Lanes
- Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Toll Rates
- TxDOT SH 249 Project Toll Rates
- Texas by Texas (TxT) App
- TollGuru Texas Toll Violations Guide
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.