Nebraska keeps things beautifully simple when it comes to tolls. The entire state has just two toll bridges, both crossing the Missouri River, and both accept cash on the spot. No apps, no transponders, no confusing account portals.
If you’re heading through Nebraska in 2026, here’s everything you need to know before you reach the booth.
- Nebraska's Toll System at a Glance
- The Two Active Toll Bridges in Nebraska
- 2026 Toll Rates by Vehicle Type
- How to Pay Nebraska Tolls
- Toll-Free Alternatives Worth Knowing
- What Happens If You Don't Pay?
- Tips for Specific Types of Drivers
- Speed Limits and Fines Near Toll Facilities
- Where Nebraska Tolls Are Headed
- Quick Reference: Everything You Need Before You Go
- Ready to Roll Through Nebraska?
Nebraska’s Toll System at a Glance
Most of Nebraska’s highways are completely toll free. Interstate 80, the main cross-state artery, costs you nothing from border to border. The tolls you’ll encounter are limited to two historic bridges in the eastern part of the state.
Here’s a quick overview before we get into the details:
| Feature | Nebraska (2026) |
|---|---|
| Number of Toll Facilities | 2 bridges |
| Primary Payment Method | Cash |
| Electronic Transponders Accepted | None |
| Toll Rate for Passenger Cars | $1.00 to $1.75 |
| Rate Trend | Stable (no 2026 increases) |
| I-80 Toll | $0.00 (completely free) |
Two toll bridges. Cash only. Low rates. That’s the whole picture.
The Two Active Toll Bridges in Nebraska
Nebraska’s toll facilities are both historic Missouri River crossings managed by local commissions rather than a central state authority. They’ve been collecting tolls since the mid-20th century, and both remain operational 24 hours a day with staffed booths.
The Bellevue GAR Memorial Bridge
The Bellevue Bridge, officially named the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Bridge, sits on the southern edge of the Omaha metro area. It connects Bellevue, Nebraska to Mills County, Iowa, linking Nebraska Highway 370 and Iowa Highway 370.
Key facts about this bridge:
- Built: 1950
- Length: 0.37 miles
- Operating authority: Bellevue Bridge Commission
- Booth hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Payment accepted: Cash and prepaid toll card
This crossing is popular with commuters traveling from southern Omaha toward Interstate 29 in Iowa. For road conditions and Iowa-side updates, the Iowa Department of Transportation is the go-to official source.
The Plattsmouth Bridge
The Plattsmouth Bridge is a historic steel truss structure connecting Cass County, Nebraska to Mills County, Iowa. It was built in 1929, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, and underwent a $3.2 million restoration in 2008.
Key facts about this bridge:
- Built: 1929
- Length: 0.27 miles across seven spans
- Operating authority: Plattsmouth Bridge Commission
- Booth hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Payment accepted: Cash only
- Daily traffic: Approximately 1,175 vehicles
This bridge primarily serves regional Cass County traffic and a steady commercial trucking contingent.
2026 Toll Rates by Vehicle Type
Rates at both bridges have remained stable in 2026. Nebraska has not implemented any toll increases this year, which is genuinely refreshing compared to states like Pennsylvania (4% increase) and New Jersey (3% increase) that raised their rates at the start of the year. You can verify the national toll rate picture at PrePass’s 2026 toll rate update tracker.
Here’s the full breakdown for both facilities:
| Vehicle Type | Bellevue Bridge (Cash) | Bellevue Bridge (Card) | Plattsmouth Bridge (Cash) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car (2-axle) | $1.00 | $0.75 | $1.75 |
| Motorcycle | $1.00 | $0.75 | $1.00 |
| Pickup truck (2-axle) | $1.00 | $0.75 | $1.75 |
| RV or large camper | $2.00 | N/A | $2.25 to $2.75 |
| Commercial truck (minimum) | $1.00 per axle | N/A | $3.00 |
| Bicycle | $0.50 | N/A | N/A |
The Plattsmouth car toll of $1.75 hasn’t changed since 2018. For a bridge built nearly 100 years ago, that’s a pretty reasonable ask.
How to Pay Nebraska Tolls
Nebraska’s payment system is refreshingly old school. Both bridges use staffed booths, so you’ll always have a real person to hand your money to. No coin baskets, no license plate billing, no surprise invoices arriving in the mail two weeks later.
Cash at the Booth
Cash is accepted at both bridges. Attendants can make change for standard US bills, so you don’t need exact change. That said, having smaller bills on hand speeds things up and keeps the line moving for everyone.
Quick tip: Tuck a $5 bill in your center console before crossing the Missouri River. That single note covers any toll situation in Nebraska with room to spare.
Bellevue Prepaid Toll Card
The Bellevue Bridge Commission offers a prepaid toll card exclusively for that crossing. It gives frequent commuters a 25% discount, bringing the per-crossing cost down to $0.75 for a standard 2-axle vehicle.
Here’s what you need to know about this card:
- Available for purchase directly at the Bellevue toll booth
- Can be refilled at the booth or by mail through the commission
- Not valid at Plattsmouth Bridge
- Not accepted on any other road or system in the country
This card makes sense if you cross the Bellevue Bridge regularly. For occasional travelers, cash remains the simplest option.
What About E-ZPass or Other Transponders?
Nebraska does not accept E-ZPass, I-PASS, K-TAG, or any other electronic transponder system. There is no state-issued Nebraska transponder either.
Here’s a clear summary of every payment method and its status:
| Payment Method | Status in Nebraska | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cash (USD) | Accepted everywhere | Attendants give change; no exact change lanes |
| Bellevue prepaid card | Limited use | Bellevue Bridge only; 25% savings for 2-axle vehicles |
| E-ZPass or I-PASS | Not accepted | No electronic reader infrastructure installed |
| Credit or debit card | Not accepted | Physical cards are not swiped at booths |
| License plate billing | Not available | No video tolling or billing by mail |
If you drive through other states with a transponder mounted in your car, it simply won’t be read at Nebraska’s booths. You pay cash and move on.
Toll-Free Alternatives Worth Knowing
Nebraska offers free alternatives to both toll bridges, and in many cases, the detour is short. This section walks through your options so you can make the right call for your route.
Alternatives to the Bellevue Bridge
The Omaha metro area has several high-capacity, toll-free Missouri River crossings:
| Bridge | Toll | Lanes | Daily Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate 80 Bridge | $0.00 | 4 | 76,700 vehicles |
| Interstate 480 (US-6) Bridge | $0.00 | 8 | High volume |
| Veterans Memorial Bridge (US-275) | $0.00 | 4 | 9,000 vehicles |
| Bellevue GAR Memorial Bridge | $1.00 | 2 | 3,000 vehicles |
The Bellevue Bridge serves a specific niche for southern commuters. If your destination doesn’t require that corridor, the I-80 bridge handles far more traffic and generally moves faster.
Alternatives to the Plattsmouth Bridge
The Plattsmouth Bridge primarily handles local Cass County traffic, and a free alternative is nearby:
- US Highway 34 Bridge: Located just north of Plattsmouth, this modern wider bridge provides a toll-free crossing for anyone traveling between Nebraska and Iowa.
- Nebraska City crossings: Further south, additional toll-free bridges connect Nebraska to southern Iowa.
The honest reality is that the $1.75 Plattsmouth toll is rarely worth a reroute. But if you prefer toll-free travel, the US-34 bridge is right there. Apps like Google Maps and Waze both let you filter for “avoid tolls” in your route settings and will handle the rerouting automatically.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay?
Because both Nebraska bridges use staffed booths, skipping the toll is genuinely difficult. Attendants are present around the clock, and vehicles must stop before crossing. Toll violations at these facilities are extremely rare as a result.
That said, if something unusual happens and you leave without paying, here is what to expect:
- A violation notice will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner
- Ignoring the notice leads to escalating fines
- Repeated violations can eventually affect your vehicle registration
Nebraska doesn’t use automated license plate cameras at these facilities, so billing by mail is not a standard part of the system. If you receive a notice you believe is in error, contact the relevant bridge commission directly and keep documentation of your trip.
Tips for Specific Types of Drivers
Nebraska’s toll system is simple, but your situation might add a small layer of planning. Here are the most common scenarios and how to handle each one.
Daily Commuters Across the Bellevue Bridge
Pick up a prepaid toll card from the booth. The 25% discount adds up quickly if you’re crossing multiple times a week. The card process is straightforward and there’s no complicated account setup involved.
Long-Distance Road Trippers
The vast majority of Nebraska is toll-free. I-80 from Wyoming to Iowa costs nothing. If your route takes you into the southeast corner of the state near Plattsmouth or Bellevue, carry a few dollars and you’ll handle both bridges without any issues.
Rental Car Drivers
Nebraska’s cash-only system is actually an advantage here. In states with all-electronic tolling, rental companies often charge $5 to $15 per day in administrative fees to process toll transactions.
In Nebraska, you pay cash at the booth and there are zero extra charges from your rental company. Nebraska law also requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance and a valid registration. Check the Nebraska DMV for full licensing and insurance requirements.
Commercial Vehicle and RV Drivers
Rates scale with axle count and vehicle size at both bridges. Refer to the rate table earlier in this article for your specific vehicle class. If you’re uncertain, the staffed booth means you can ask the attendant directly before you pay.
Speed Limits and Fines Near Toll Facilities
Nebraska is actively executing its 2026 Surface Transportation Program, which means construction zones are common near bridge approaches. Speed limits in these areas are strictly enforced, and fines are steep.
Nebraska speeding fines for 2026:
| Speed Over Limit | Base Fine | Construction Zone Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 mph | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| 6 to 9 mph | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| 10 to 14 mph | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| 15 to 19 mph | $125.00 | $250.00 |
| 20 to 34 mph | $200.00 | $400.00 |
| 35+ mph | $300.00 | $600.00 |
Traffic naturally slows at manned toll booths, so approach the plaza at a reasonable speed and you won’t have any problems.
Where Nebraska Tolls Are Headed
Nebraska’s toll system is gradually shrinking, not growing. The state funds infrastructure through motor fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees rather than user tolls, and that philosophy is not changing.
The Bellevue Bridge carries a “functionally obsolete” designation, and long-term plans point toward a toll-free replacement funded through state resources. The Decatur Bridge followed this same path in 2025, transitioning to state ownership and removing its toll entirely. The Plattsmouth Bridge will likely remain tolled only as long as its 1929 structure can be safely maintained through local commission revenue.
You can track upcoming Nebraska infrastructure projects through the NDOT Future Projects page and the official State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) for 2026 to 2029. Both documents confirm that no new toll facilities are planned anywhere in the state.
Quick Reference: Everything You Need Before You Go
Here’s a fast summary you can screenshot before your trip.
Active toll facilities:
- Bellevue GAR Memorial Bridge: $1.00 per car (cash) or $0.75 with prepaid card
- Plattsmouth Bridge: $1.75 per car (cash only)
Payment options:
- Cash accepted at both bridges with change provided
- Prepaid toll card available at the Bellevue Bridge only
- No E-ZPass, I-PASS, or any electronic transponder accepted
- No credit or debit cards at the booth
- No license plate billing
Free crossing alternatives near Omaha:
- I-80 Bridge: completely free, high capacity
- I-480 Bridge: completely free, 8 lanes
- Veterans Memorial Bridge (US-275): completely free
Free crossing alternative near Plattsmouth:
- US-34 Bridge: completely free, just north of Plattsmouth
Ready to Roll Through Nebraska?
Nebraska’s toll system is genuinely one of the easiest in the country to deal with. Two bridges, cash at the window, rates that haven’t budged in years. Carry a few small bills, slow down at the booth, and you’re across and on your way in under a minute.
The Cornhusker State isn’t trying to squeeze revenue out of every mile you drive. That’s something worth appreciating the next time you breeze through on I-80 without seeing a single toll sign.
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.