Any insight on toll roads in the energy corridor ? (Houston: rental, authority)

[azek77]

Hi,

We are visiting Houston next week for a preliminary recon visit...a friend said to make sure we knew how to strategically avoid toll roads...we are staying in the EC area

We hv an EZPass tag tht works in NY/NJ/PA etc ...does it work in TX?

Also how to reroute getting in and out if EC without always going thru toll roads?

Thanks!!

[Meyerland]

The beltway 8 is a toll road, but you can just stay on the feeder roads and not have to pay. I10 only has tolls for HOV lanes.

The fort bend toll road to the south, you never need to get on at all.

[beasley106]

EZPass does not work in Texas, but it is pretty easy to avoid the toll roads with the exception of Beltway 8. Also some toll roads such as Westpark Tollroad and the Northeastern part of Beltway 8 (from I-59 to I-10) only take EZ TAG/TxTag so I would avoid using those roads.

[descovy]

Stay off the Westpark Tollway or Ft Bend Tollway (EZ Tag only)

Be careful venturing out to Katy on TX99.
It is free from I-10 southbound to FM1093. (and is the main artery through the Cinco Ranch/South Katy area) So use it there.

But you must have an EZ tag to go Northbound from I-10

Also, on I-10 we have HOT lanes... during rush hour it is free for 2+ people or EZ tag required for a single rider. However they are in a barricade in the middle of the freeway. I'd avoid them for now (even 2+ in the car), just because you might not be able to get off where you want.

Have fun!

[ipuck]

If you can get out of the traffic and pay the toll instead, I think you going to warm up to the tolls pretty fast.

[Bike4Life]

You'll be fine on Beltway 8 toll road because you can pay cash at the booth. But Westpark toll road and a few other places are electronically monitored without any toll booths to exchange money. If you accidentally enter one of those, just get off at the next exit and the toll authority will usually dismiss this as a one time waiver. Otherwise, you'll get a bill in the mail plus administrative fees.

[trbstang]

Originally Posted by Bike4Life

You'll be fine on Beltway 8 toll road because you can pay cash at the booth. But Westpark toll road and a few other places are electronically monitored without any toll booths to exchange money. If you accidentally enter one of those, just get off at the next exit and the toll authority will usually dismiss this as a one time waiver. Otherwise, you'll get a bill in the mail plus administrative fees.

True, but they don't send out invoices until the THIRD violation, and then you have all of the fees on it. If you call before the third, it is usually just the toll charge and they can take payment over the phone.

Are you driving down here, I assume? If you are renting a car, you can sign up for paid tolls through the rental company..

There are always alternative ways without tolls. Just stay off the roads mentioned, Westpark, Fort Bend, 99, since they are toll only. And set your GPS or map app to avoid tolls in setting up your directions.

Good luck and welcome!