Delaware is a small state in the mid-Atlantic region of the US. Its tolling system accepts various means of payment, including electronic and manual options. This gives motorists options. Its tolling system bears a lot of resemblances to that of states such as Alabama and Florida. If you intend to own a car in Delaware or visit the state, chances are high that you’ll use one of its toll roads. You must know how the system works, which roads accept what means of payment, and the toll rates that apply.
Are There Any Tolls in Delaware?
Of course, there is. Delaware cannot have a tolling system in the absence of toll facilities. Like many states in the US, Delaware has toll roads which it uses to generate revenue from state residents and visitors. Being a small state, Delaware has a small network of toll roads – three automated ramps and three main toll plazas.
Delaware Toll Roads
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway/Delaware State Route 1
This road is also known as DE 1, the shortened name for Delaware State Route 1. This toll road connects the Dover Air Force base to Cristiana. It covers a distance of 80.4 km. Residents and tourists visiting Delaware beaches frequently use this route. This road also connects to the Dover and Wilmington areas. The road has many entries and exits, including US 40 in Bear, US 13 in Dover, and Us 301 in Biddle’s corner, which will take you through Biddles Toll Plaza. This toll road runs parallel to US 13 between US 13 and I-95. This toll road is active 24 hours a day.
US 301
The route covers a distance of 19.3 kilometers, one of the state’s major toll roads. This road runs from the Maryland border, which is located in the southwestern region of Middletown, all the way to the northern terminus of DE 1 in the northeastern direction. This toll road has several entries and exits, including the Delaware State Route 299 and 71 near Middletown. The road is always accessible, and its main toll plaza is situated north of the Maryland border. Only electronic toll payment options are accepted here.
Delaware Turnpike
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
This route is also known as Delaware Turnpike. It covers a distance of 22 km, running from Interstate 95 in Newport and Newark to Interstate 295 between Newport and Fernhurst. On this route, tolls are paid in either the northbound or southbound direction. This route connects Newport and Newark. This route serves as a feed road to the Delaware Memorial Bridge which takes you across the Delaware River. A large part of this route goes through the woods and across the Christina River.
Delaware Bridges
Delaware Memorial Bridge
These are twin bridges that go across the state’s river. They are the connecting roads between Delaware and New Jersey, carrying US 40 and Interstate 295. The eastbound and westbound bridge covers an approximate distance of 3.3 km. It’s one of a couple of bridges in Delaware with both the Interstate Highway and the US highway.
How to Pay Tolls in Delaware?
There are about three major ways of paying tolls in Delaware. They include:
- E-Z Pass: This is the most convenient means of paying tolls in the state. Motorists can install an electronic toll tag transponder on their windshields. Once they drive past a toll facility, the transponder transmits wireless signals to the toll booth and grants authorization to deduct the toll fees from a prepaid account. All these happen without the driver stopping. The transponder takes care of everything. You can use this payment option on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Delaware State Route 1, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and US 301.
- Cash: Delaware also accepts cash at its toll facilities. The downside to paying with cash is that the motorist has to slow down to pay the toll rate, causing a slight interruption in the journey. Cash is accepted for toll payments on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway and Delaware State Route 1.
- License Plate Toll: This is an alternative electronic toll payment system. It involves capturing the vehicle’s license plates as it passes through the toll plaza. Later, the toll bill or invoice is mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. It’s accepted on US 301. It’s used mainly by motorists who don’t have an E-Z Pass, but it incurs higher toll rates.
How to Pay Delaware Tolls Online?
There are two ways to pay Delaware tolls online. Just as we discussed earlier, you can pay via the E-Z Pass. Firstly, you have to register and create an account by visiting www.ezpassde.com. After creating a prepaid account, you can deposit through a Visa or Mastercard. Then, you’ll purchase a transponder to install on your windshield. Alternatively, you can create a Toll-By-Plate account if you want to pay via license tolls.
How Much are Tolls in Delaware?
The toll rate varies due to factors such as the axle profile of your vehicle and the means of payment.
The cost of tolls on Delaware Turnpike is $4 for 2-axle vehicles, including motorcycles. For the Delaware State Route 1, the toll rate for 2-axle vehicles is $2 on weekdays and $6 on weekends. The toll rate for 3-axle vehicles is $4.50 and an extra $1.50 per extra axle. Judging by this calculation, a 4-axle vehicle will incur a rate of $6. These rates are from Mondays to Fridays and only apply to E-Z Pass users. If you’re using cash, the rates will be higher.
On US 301, an E-Z Pass customer using a 2-axle vehicle will pay a toll rate of $4. Those using License Plate Tolls will pay $5.60. For 3-axle vehicles, the toll rate is $9. The 4-axle vehicle owners will pay $10, while 5-axle vehicles will pay $11. It’s an extra dollar per axle. The rates are slightly higher for License Plate Toll users.
How to Pay Missed Tolls in Delaware?
Motorists who use E-Z Pass may default on payments because of insufficient funds in the prepaid account. So missed tolls or payment violations are pretty common in Delaware. You can pay missed tolls online or through the violation number. When you miss tolls, the invoice is mailed to you, and it will contain the toll fee, a fine, and the violation number, which you can use to pay online @ www.ezpassde.com.
Conclusion
Despite the options available to motorists in Delaware, we recommend using the E-Z Pass because it’s accepted on every toll road in the state. Frequently using the electronic toll tag will earn you discounts on toll fees. This means you’ll pay less than those using License Plate Tolls or cash and save substantial money in the long run.
We also advise motorists to ensure they have a minimum of $20-30 in their prepaid account if they’re driving 2-axle vehicles and a minimum of $50 if they use vehicles with a higher axle profile. This will ensure that they don’t default on toll payments and help them avoid paying fines for violating toll payments.