do I need exact change for toll roads? (Dallas, Austin: rental, credit card)

[semidevil]

I'll be in a rental and driving through dallas for a day trip. In terms of toll roads, during the weekday (tomorrow), how much exact change do I need to get through? If I have dollar bills, and not exact change, is that okay? credit cards? Are there people working the toll booth?

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by semidevil

I'll be in a rental and driving through dallas for a day trip. In terms of toll roads, during the weekday (tomorrow), how much exact change do I need to get through? If I have dollar bills, and not exact change, is that okay? credit cards? Are there people working the toll booth?

The NTTA did away with it's toll booths a while back. Now they send a bill to the address associated with the vehicle license plates. They only do it once you have accumulated $2-3 in toll fees. Anyhow, the rental company will generally charge you card accordingly.

[frenzyrider]

Usually now the rental companies ask you whether you will use the toll road. if you do, they issue you a card otherwise it takes a while to get the toll settled with the rental company.

[RomaniGypsy]

Originally Posted by semidevil

I'll be in a rental and driving through dallas for a day trip. In terms of toll roads, during the weekday (tomorrow), how much exact change do I need to get through? If I have dollar bills, and not exact change, is that okay? credit cards? Are there people working the toll booth?

On some toll roads, you have to deal with toll booths... and you do not need exact change. However, you do need a fat wallet as you can expect to pay $1.50 for every 10 miles you travel. The ironic thing is that they raised the speed limit on some stretches of toll road to as high as 85 mph, but then you have to stop every 10 miles to pay a toll. In terms of overall average speed, I'm not seeing how that is better than the non-toll highways which have speed limits up to 80 mph. My advice, as one who lived in Texas for five years and had a good bit of experience with the Dallas area - stay away from the toll roads if at all possible. They're not worth the money.

[VegasMan_72]

Originally Posted by RomaniGypsy

On some toll roads, you have to deal with toll booths... and you do not need exact change. However, you do need a fat wallet as you can expect to pay $1.50 for every 10 miles you travel. The ironic thing is that they raised the speed limit on some stretches of toll road to as high as 85 mph, but then you have to stop every 10 miles to pay a toll. In terms of overall average speed, I'm not seeing how that is better than the non-toll highways which have speed limits up to 80 mph. My advice, as one who lived in Texas for five years and had a good bit of experience with the Dallas area - stay away from the toll roads if at all possible. They're not worth the money.

This information is false coming from a guy who doesn't even use toll roads. There is not a single operating toll booth in the DFW area. Its 100% electronic.
He did not ask your opinion about the toll roads.

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by VegasMan_72

This information is false coming from a guy who doesn't even use toll roads. There is not a single operating toll booth in the DFW area. Its 100% electronic.

Yup, the only functioning toll booths I've seen around Dallas, if their even called toll booths, is entering to and from DFW International airport. Otherwise it's all Zip cash (mail you a bill).

[VegasMan_72]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

Yup, the only functioning toll booths I've seen around Dallas, if their even called toll booths, is entering to and from DFW International airport. Otherwise it's all Zip cash (mail you a bill).

Exactly. Those booths are entrances to the airport. Plus there is no 85 mph anywhere in the DFW on toll roads. It really gets me when people like these spread misinformation especially to visitors. These toll road haters add no value to the debate with their anti tax rhetoric. Believe me I am no lover of toll roads either but I would love to hear the other side's solution to the problem, if they have any.

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by VegasMan_72

Plus there is no 85 mph anywhere in the DFW on toll roads.

I wished, although people do bend the speed limits a lot on the Toll and 75.

Now the toll road outside of Austin is 85mph. It's not always the best route to take though depending on where you're headed. I try to take it every chance I get, it's always empty and it's 85mph

[VegasMan_72]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

I wished, although people do bend the speed limits a lot on the Toll and 75.

Now the toll road outside of Austin is 85mph. It's not always the best route to take though depending on where you're headed. I try to take it every chance I get, it's always empty and it's 85mph

LBJ Managed lanes will have posted speed limit of 75. The speed study on both opened sections (75 to Preston and 635/35 connectors) showed, it was safe for 80 mph but they are signed 70 mph for now

[semidevil]

Nice! I'm not going to the airport. I'll be going from oklahoma to richardson to irving and back up, so it sounds like i can just zip through without having to stop at a toll or anything.