Should I get an EZ pass for my upcoming northeast trip?

[Anonymous]

Road trip north starts this Friday. We're going to upstate NY, then New Haven and finally Philly (not stopping in NYC).

I've never had EZ pass, because I work from home in DC. Is it worth my while to get one for this trip? Will it reduce my tolls? Will it also get me a faster route? Where do I get the little box and how do I sign up?

Thanks for helping out this newbie!

[Anonymous]

You can buy them at the grocery store in VA.
https://www.ezpassva.com/locations/

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

100% yes. You can get one at giant.

[Anonymous]

100%

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you rarely take road trips since you do not have 1. I might not bother for 1trip. Yes it's much easier but there is rarely a line for cash since most people have it. It's another account to maintain etc. if this is the start of more travel.. then yes get one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you rarely take road trips since you do not have 1. I might not bother for 1trip. Yes it's much easier but there is rarely a line for cash since most people have it. It's another account to maintain etc. if this is the start of more travel.. then yes get one.

Disagree.

Even if only traveling one time, it’s worth it to get the EZ Pass. There are more and more cashless tunnel & bridge tolls which means OP would have to pay by plate and get a bill sent to them at a much higher rate. Why worry about that when they can just go to Giant and get the EZ Pass. This is a no brainer.

[Anonymous]

In some places, there is a toll surcharge if one does not have an EZ-Pass. Dulles Toll Road is a local example.

[Anonymous]

In Pennsylvania, EZ Pass saves you 50% in tolls. The lanes move quicker too.

[Anonymous]

I think it makes sense to get one, but know that each state issues its own ez pass and has different rules about discounts, so where you get the pass makes a difference and you may not actually save money by having one. In NY you have to have a NY ez pass to get the discounted tolls. If you have an out of state pass, you pay the pay by plate rate.

[Anonymous]

In Pa, are you using turnpike or bridges to nj? Then yes. They’ve closed all toll booths east of Harrisburg area and now use ez pass or toll by plate. Ez pass much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it makes sense to get one, but know that each state issues its own ez pass and has different rules about discounts, so where you get the pass makes a difference and you may not actually save money by having one. In NY you have to have a NY ez pass to get the discounted tolls. If you have an out of state pass, you pay the pay by plate rate.

Not true, ez pass is interoperable and ny works in nj works in Pa works in dc etc. you get the same discounted rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it makes sense to get one, but know that each state issues its own ez pass and has different rules about discounts, so where you get the pass makes a difference and you may not actually save money by having one. In NY you have to have a NY ez pass to get the discounted tolls. If you have an out of state pass, you pay the pay by plate rate.

Not true, ez pass is interoperable and ny works in nj works in Pa works in dc etc. you get the same discounted rate.

You’re right that ez pass is interoperable, but the discounts aren’t. You need an ez pass issued by NY to get discounts on the thruway and in bridges and tunnels.

[Anonymous]

With a $30 price tag I would not do it just for one trip. Never had one until I had to commute to work on Dulles toll road for a three months assignment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100% yes. You can get one at giant.

I don’t think giant has them anymore. Used to.