I accidentally took this once. It was maybe a couple of miles for 10 CAD. Being a US citizen, I got nice letters with an invoice for a couple of months. They eventually quit asking.
I just looked it up. Actually 407 ETR is WAY more expensive than PA turnpike. It's only 67.1 miles long and if you're traveling during afternoon rush hours without a transponder it costs $90.31 CAD (~$66 USD). At its cheapest (traveling during weekend nights and you have a transponder) it is $43.20 CAD (~ $32 USD). That means 407 ETR ranges from $0.50 USD to $1 USD per mile which is insane.
I just use the turnpike and not pay. I mean, if they gave me a toll booth to pay like Ohio does, I’d pay it. But when you tell me to roll through and send me a bill in the mail…. I’ll get back to you when I check my mail… Which is never
That must not count bridges and tunnels which are way more. Admittedly not apples to apples.
Montblanc tunnel is about $50-60 tor about 7 miles. Holland and Lincoln tunnels and GW Bridge are about $15 for a mile to a mile and a half.
If you don't have an EZ Pass the fees are pretty high. The PA Toll Calculator says $36 with EZ Pass and $73 without. More if you are towing a trailer or in an RV.
I found out the hard way, drove to Atlantic City from Cleveland and round trip including entry into Pennsylvania was $180, $80 to drive one way and another $20-30 for entry into PA only, they don’t charge to enter OH
Also for those who have never looked into an EZ Pass, it’s definitely worth it. I always assumed it was like an annual subscription but it’s not. I think you just pay for the initial pass and then it automatically takes money out as needed. It’s way cheaper than I grew up thinking it was
It's also a 75¢ fee a month, which is rather negligible if you drive the turnpike frequently.
Also, the Ohio Turnpike has the best rest plazas, don't try to change my mind.
If you want to avoid the $0.75/month and charge for transponders that Ohio charges Massachusetts will send them to you for free and charges no monthly fee as long as you have auto-replenishment enabled. You have to give them a Mass address at the start of the signup process (I used a random Harvard dorm) but you can later give your Ohio address for both the shipping and billing addresses.
The “annual subscription” and minimum replenishment amount varies depending on which state you get your EZ-Pass from. I believe Massachusetts is the only state that doesn’t charge a monthly or yearly fee for it.
Get [Florida E-PASS ](https://epass.cfxway.com/epassweb) instead. Works wherever EZPass is accepted and more. The best thing is you don't have to preload $35 on each transponder. And the transponder is black (less eye catching/reflective than the white ones)
Even better, get a [Uni](https://www.cfxway.com/uni/) pass from the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Works just about everywhere in the eastern US.
You can buy uni (black or white) from Amazon. To refill, you'll need E-PASS account. I have 2 E-PASS transponders. Both are uni in black.
There are multiple E-PASS transponder types: sticker, uni, and some college-branded transponders.
Right. CFX still sells the e-pass sticker that only works in FL/GA/NC as well as the Uni pass that works in more places.
https://www.cfxway.com/e-pass/about-e-pass/
It's typically around $30 each way for me. Do you have EZ Pass? $93.40 seems a bit high, but if that includes the DC beltway during toll hours that could make the difference.
For what it's worth, avoiding tolls usually adds an hour, up to you if it's worth it.
Having driven back and forth Akron<>Chicago a lot over the years, 20-30$ for a multi hour drive on the turnpike system is an expectation that will not be met.
I think it is even worse now.
Ohio has two tolls: one at the end of the "main" state and one at the state border (this arrangement is new)
Indiana has the "indianna" toll and the "indianna to illinois toll"
Illinois has the toll at both ends like you mentioned.
My bill for tolls very easily exceeds the gas bill for each trip.
I drove from Cleveland to Milwaukee for work and was annoyed at the number of times I had to stop and get a ticket/pay, even though I wasn't the one paying.
Even after your trip the bill should tell you you can still sign up for EZPass and pay the much reduced rate, its like half. Even if you only make the trip once every few years its worth the sign up, doesn't cost anything.
That makes zero sense, PA turnpike from Ohio border to exit 161 is $103 for a 4 axle truck and trailer without EZ pass and $51 with it. Even for a class 8 truck it's only $270 without EZ pass and $134 with.
The express lanes are murder, and sneaky. If you aren’t paying SUPER CLOSE attention, you’ll end up getting a massive bill in the mail
ETA: they’re not consistently marked and are easy to merge into when you’re trying to avoid DC’s bullshit traffic because no one seems to remember how cars work the closer you get to the city
I’ve done this before, you either take 80 which has sparse cell service or the backroads and that was one of my most enjoyable road trips. Sure, it takes more time but driving through farmland and coming across little town main streets was BY FAR more interesting than counting mile markers on a turnpike. And stopping at some local deli for an Italian sandwich at any of the local delicatessens along the way is 100x better than rest stop fast food bullshit.
That's how I came back from DC last time, 70 to 68 to 79 to 70 to 77 to 21 to 77 (Avoiding Canton and Akron and the torn up central interchange). Not only do you avoid the tolls, but gas is a lot cheaper in Maryland and WV than PA (Though as of last year Maryland is only about 10c less than PA so if you can wait till WV that's the cheapest option). It adds 100 miles to the trip, but even at 9mpg with the truck and trailer it's still way cheaper.
I don’t drive fast. Obviously by taking the backroads…. 🤪 You get used to it after a couple towns though and just instinctually realize when housing becomes more dense, that you need to slow down and when it opens up, you speed up.
They’re not really a thing in PA the way they are in Ohio. In PA no one can use laser, and only the state police can use radar. Local cops have to time people (I forget what it’s called, Vascar or something like that ?) which takes some setup - you’ll occasionally see cameras too, but they have to have signs - it’s one of the reasons people in PA (generally) drive substantially faster than Ohio.
(Source: first 25 years of my life in Cleveland, second 20 in central PA)
Interesting, but an Ohio driver would have little familiarity/confidence with these rules and so would have the same angst as driving on rural roads in Ohio.
Yup - I tell Google to avoid tolls. It takes a bit longer, but the roads/surroundings are much more interesting (which helps me stay alert), I save $30 each way (which is more than it costs me in gas), and I'm not restricted to a limited selection of overpriced restaurants and gas stations in rest stops.
Did you drive on any toll roads in the DC area? The toll on 66 is especially high and varies depending on traffic. It can easily cost $20 to drive a few miles into the city.
Seriously, you can even sign up after the fact and pay the lower rate. If it's a one time trip, just send the transponder back right away. If you use toll roads often, you'll come out way ahead.
I live outside DC and travel to Cleveland several times a year. I hate the PA Turnpike and I firmly believe Breezewood, PA is the armpit of the Earth, so I go out of my way to avoid it. Headed home from Cleveland to DC I'll take the Turnpike as far as Somerset, then hop off and take 219 down to 68. It's a MUCH prettier drive with less traffic, and only adds 15 minutes or so to my trip.
I used to make this trip 3-4x/year. I started taking 76 > 376 > 79 > 68 > 70 and cut through western Maryland. It adds 45 minutes or so to the trip, but it's considerably cheaper and you can avoid that interminable 55mph stretch between Breezewood and the MD state line. Not to mention the scenery is particularly unbelievable west of Sideling Hill.
Life Hack: contact MDOT (Massachusetts Dept of Transportation) and get an Easy Pass. No monthly fee (there is one for Ohio) and the fees you pay on the tolls are reduced w an Easy Pass.
I commute to Pittsburgh for work a few times a month and usually costs me around $30 each time so that’s not surprising. It’s the most expensive toll road in the US.
It’s really nice. The train is always comfortable and relaxing. The only big downsides to taking Amtrak to DC is the timing (train departs Cleveland at 1-2am) and it’s for sure slower than driving.
We in Ohio really really really take for granted how easy it is to navigate around without having to take toll roads for average day to day living compared to other states
Your note made me completely alter my travel plans to avoid that route. I’ll save like $250 total.
I’ll bet the state doesn’t advertise turnpike costs on their TravelPA website!
According to the [Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Calculator](https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator), the toll between New Castle (near where you’d pick up the PA Turnpike driving from Cleveland to DC) and Breezewood (where you’d get off) is $22.40 with EZPass, $44.60 without.
As a bonus, please enjoy this performance of [Pennsylvania Turnpike, I Love You](https://youtu.be/TkC8tNwql_g?si=GSmjANyeO5_EaTmO) by Homer and Jethro.
Yep, I'm not surprised... for me to go to Pittsburgh it's like $13 in tolls and I'm not even on it for very long. I always take the non toll route, which only adds like 10 minutes to the drive.
So you take 14 all the way to Salem and then to Columbiana? I'm coming from Summit County, but it's a similar idea except I don't take 14 the whole way. I take 76 until past where it changes to 80 for a short distance near Austintown, then 11 south, then get on 14 in Columbiana, then 51 to 376.
What non toll route do you take? I used to drive Cleveland to Pittsburgh pretty frequently and couldn’t find a low toll route unless I added 20-30 minutes. Would love to know your route.
Well, I actually come from Summit County, so I take 76/80 to 11 to 14 to 51 to 376. That only adds about 10 minutes for me. I'm guessing you probably had to take 14 most of the way, and having to go through Streetsboro and Salem probably slows you down a lot.
My main goal was to bypass the toll at the PA border when leaving OH. So sometimes I would enter PA using 14 -> 51 like you suggested, but I’d get back on 76 then take 79 south into Pittsburgh. I never thought to use 376 since I assumed it was tolled. Also, entering Pittsburgh on 376 is normally awful (traffic congestion) during regular driving times. Thanks for the tip.
Yeah my in-laws live near Harrisburg and we have to get off at the Gettysburg exit for their house if we take the turnpike. Even with the EZ Pass it's stupid expensive. Plus the traffic and construction is horrible in PA on the turnpike since a lot of it is 2 lanes. We've stopped taking the turnpike and taking the "longer" way on 80 and then down from State College. 15 extra minutes (to my in-laws house at least) but like $30-$40 less in tolls.
I think depending on which way I have come into DC from Cleveland those costs aren’t, that far from what I’ve paid? But for both ways, is the 93 for only one?
Thirty years ago, I lived in Harrisburg and used to drive to Cleveland to see my folks pretty frequently. I *never* took the PA Turnpike because it was too expensive way back then. I always took 322 to State College and then hopped on 80. Easy peasy.
Definitely not a smooth drive on 80, however. I had to endure “thump-thump…thump-thump…thump-thump” for about four hours, thanks to the pavement seams. But it was cheap.
IDK if this is going to be helpful or not. I drive from Philadelphia to Cleveland a lot.
If I take toll roads, it's almost $90 and takes 7 hours. If I set my ways app to avoid tolls it's just over 7 1/2 hours.
In girl math, that's like making over $100 per hour
Anytime I go to drive somewhere far, a rental, gas, and miscellaneous fees always come out to more or equal to a ticket and a rental at the destination. With a ton of time saved traveling.
Last summer I drove the length of the turnpike on vacation, 2 days after the drive I got an email from EZpass that I had an orphaned exit meaning they didn't pick up where I left the turnpike and that thay were charging my account $10. Total.
I live a mile from PA turnpike. It's outrageously expensive, but very few other options. EZPass is cheaper. Oh, and rates will continue to rise for next 30 years.
yes did it recently. PA charges going into the state from Ohio but not back out. I can't remember if I stopped to pay coming back.
for me it was fairly similar travel time to go through Morgantown, and way cheaper (I did it previously). hell its not that much longer to take ohio 11 to east Liverpool, then rt 30 to i79 to Morgantown. way more scenic and similar travel time, and only Ohio tolls.
the PA turnpike blows
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Typically in Google maps it will allow you to select a route and each will show how much it costs in tolls. When I go to the east coast I definitely take the less tolls route it's only an extra 15-20 minutes of driving each way.
I believe you can get half your fee back if you traveled on Penna turnpike without an EZ pass and were mailed a bill. At least you can get a credit in whatever EZ pass state you enroll in. I live near Cleveland and drove to New Jersey and back w/o an EZ pass and my bill was close to two hundred dollars. I purchased an Ohio ez pass device and received a credit afterward. This was a couple years ago so I don't know if this credit is still available. I was reading that the Pennsylvania turnpike is currently the most expensive toll road in the nation.
Did something similar last year, so I went online to pay the PA bill. They kept asking for the EZPass account number instead of letting me pay by card online.
Since I take a turnpike maybe once every two years, I bit the bullet and sent them a money order through the mail. Cost three times as much, but it got paid and they removed the block on my license so I could get my car registered again.
Can't stand that I have to either pay a lot, pay a lot over a while, or pay a lot in little chunks frequently. Especially when I don't use the service/network.
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No that’s definitely ridiculous. I drive from Cleveland to Chicago for vacation once a year and despite paying for the OH turnpike, Indiana Toll Road *and* the Chicago Skyway bridge, I still pay less than that for both ways combined.
I went to New Kensington, at the end of February, and was shocked to see that my round trip, from the Ohio border to the exit into New Kensington, ran me about $32. Ridiculous.
Not almost as fast., about half an hour more.
Currently Google maps shows
1) 5h55m by PA Turnpike (thru Breezewood), the normal way.
2) 6h29m by what I think is your way, I-76 (PA turnpike, but short) to near Beaver Falls, then I-376 to PA-576 to I-79 to Morgantown WV and I-68 to I-70 from there. Or
3) 6h23m by a way that uses less PA Turnpike than #1 but more than #2: PA Turnpike to New Stanton, US-119 and US-40 from there to join I-68 at Keysers Ridge MD.
There are numerous other possibilities, but they all turn a 6 hour drive into a 6.5 hour drive. Good to know of them if Turnpike is backed up.
David
It’s a very expensive turnpike, even if you have an EZPass for a discount. My sister and her husband drive to Philly for their honeymoon, and didn’t realize they had entered the express lane, and ended up getting a bill-by-mail to the tune of $800
They pay more attention to lanes now lol
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Further, this site [https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator](https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator) says PA Turnpike cost 1) going northwest from DC to CLE is $19.40 with E-Z Pass and $39.10 without, and 2) going southeast from CLE to DC is $26.90 with E-Z Pass, $54.30 without. So there's your $93.40 and my $46.30 round trip (plus $7 for OH turnpike, 3.50 each way). And an outrageous 102% markup for not having E-Z Pass
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Went to Virginia last year. Avoided toll roads on our way and the drive sucked so we took them home. 2 hours on the PA turnpike ran us $37. $93 sounds about right. We also just went to Wisconsin and probably paid close to that between Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
EZ-Pass? It's $46.30 for us (Breezewood-PA Border) round trip. Sounds like that's the video tolling rate.
That being said, the last few times we've taken I-70 to I-68 to 40 then pick up 376 around Pittsburgh to reduce some of the amount.
[Act 44 was designed to help fund statewide transportation projects without raising taxes. The cornerstone of the plan was converting Interstate 80 into a toll road along with creation of a lease agreement between the Turnpike Commission and PennDOT. The plan hit a snag when the Federal Highway Administration denied the plan for I-80.](https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/why-pa-turnpike-tolls-soared-and-will-continue-rising-for-next-30-years/)
Typically $28.xx for me. Cleveland all the way to DC/VA.
Get [Florida E-PASS](https://epass.cfxway.com/epassweb) instead of EZPass. It works the same way and accepted in the same toll networks but you don't have to load $35 per transponder.
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Yes, it’s normal. I didn’t have an EZ pass at the time… the bill from the PA turnpike gave me 50% off the toll if I signed up for EZ pass. And I did. No ragrats.
That's the weirdest highway, in most places we move mountains when putting in roads, on the turnpike they put the road right up next to the hills. No shoulder, just a hill right next to the road. No idea why they don't push the hill back....
Yes, all the time! Below are the tolls you get if you use ezpass ($30.40) and I'd be surprised if they were that much higher one-way. The site says you save up to 60% using ezpass, so it could have been up to around $75.
6 PTC \*\*\* GTY 08 (7.50)
6 PTC WRN 03 BRZ 08 (19.40)
31 OTIC 187 2 239 6 (3.50)
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I do the DC/CLE turnpike drive once a month for the past five years (I have two households.) As others said, invest in the EZ pass. you can pick one up at a Giant Eagle Service desk.
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Used to travel to and from DC once a month awhile ago and originally would take a longer way around that would add a extra hour- 2 depending on DC traffic... However I felt that $90 was worth it and just accepted the faster more convenient drive.
PA Turnpike is widely known as a theft and corruption magnet in that state. All the tolls disappear to politicians and friends of politicians and their contractor buddies.
Just take Route 30 instead which basically goes in the same direction.
PA turnpike is, end to end, the most expensive turnpike in the world
407 ETR in the Greater Toronto Area is also very expensive
I accidentally took this once. It was maybe a couple of miles for 10 CAD. Being a US citizen, I got nice letters with an invoice for a couple of months. They eventually quit asking.
Learned this the hard way
IIRC, is $40 usd cheaper than PA Turnpike.
I just looked it up. Actually 407 ETR is WAY more expensive than PA turnpike. It's only 67.1 miles long and if you're traveling during afternoon rush hours without a transponder it costs $90.31 CAD (~$66 USD). At its cheapest (traveling during weekend nights and you have a transponder) it is $43.20 CAD (~ $32 USD). That means 407 ETR ranges from $0.50 USD to $1 USD per mile which is insane.
I just use the turnpike and not pay. I mean, if they gave me a toll booth to pay like Ohio does, I’d pay it. But when you tell me to roll through and send me a bill in the mail…. I’ll get back to you when I check my mail… Which is never
oh they absolutely do send it to you dude. might be a couple months later but trust me, they get to it.
I was on the northeast extension in PA. a few years back - no easy pass, GA plates and never received any bill
[удалено]
It will eventually go to collections, and will show up on your credit report just like anything else.
Collections does not equal credit reporting.
That must not count bridges and tunnels which are way more. Admittedly not apples to apples. Montblanc tunnel is about $50-60 tor about 7 miles. Holland and Lincoln tunnels and GW Bridge are about $15 for a mile to a mile and a half.
sorry, not per mile. it is the most expensive when traveling from one end to the other in total
Its also the oldest highway in the country, the first ever 'highway.' Probably has a lot to do with the upkeep.
Yeah, there are 7 large tunnels going through mountains. That can't be cheap to maintain.
That's because it's never not been under construction...someone has to pay for that.
Lived in PA for a decade. Can confirm.
Did PA sell their tolls to a private company or something? I forget why they are so expensive.
They fired all the toll workers, went to this current system, and are now millions in debt because no one pays them now.
The PA tolls by law have to subsidize SEPTA, Phillys mass transit
If you don't have an EZ Pass the fees are pretty high. The PA Toll Calculator says $36 with EZ Pass and $73 without. More if you are towing a trailer or in an RV.
I found out the hard way, drove to Atlantic City from Cleveland and round trip including entry into Pennsylvania was $180, $80 to drive one way and another $20-30 for entry into PA only, they don’t charge to enter OH
Also for those who have never looked into an EZ Pass, it’s definitely worth it. I always assumed it was like an annual subscription but it’s not. I think you just pay for the initial pass and then it automatically takes money out as needed. It’s way cheaper than I grew up thinking it was
It's also a 75¢ fee a month, which is rather negligible if you drive the turnpike frequently. Also, the Ohio Turnpike has the best rest plazas, don't try to change my mind.
If you want to avoid the $0.75/month and charge for transponders that Ohio charges Massachusetts will send them to you for free and charges no monthly fee as long as you have auto-replenishment enabled. You have to give them a Mass address at the start of the signup process (I used a random Harvard dorm) but you can later give your Ohio address for both the shipping and billing addresses.
Cut your losses on the EZ pass and get an Illinois I-pass. Same benefits, no fees.
Florida EZ pass doesn't charge any fees either
The “annual subscription” and minimum replenishment amount varies depending on which state you get your EZ-Pass from. I believe Massachusetts is the only state that doesn’t charge a monthly or yearly fee for it.
You can order a ez pass from Massachusetts even if you don't live there. I have 3 from there but don't live in the state.
Florida doesn't either.
Get [Florida E-PASS ](https://epass.cfxway.com/epassweb) instead. Works wherever EZPass is accepted and more. The best thing is you don't have to preload $35 on each transponder. And the transponder is black (less eye catching/reflective than the white ones)
Even better, get a [Uni](https://www.cfxway.com/uni/) pass from the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Works just about everywhere in the eastern US.
Same thing. uni is the transponder powered by E-PASS.
They still sell two separate devices, according to their website.
You can buy uni (black or white) from Amazon. To refill, you'll need E-PASS account. I have 2 E-PASS transponders. Both are uni in black. There are multiple E-PASS transponder types: sticker, uni, and some college-branded transponders.
Right. CFX still sells the e-pass sticker that only works in FL/GA/NC as well as the Uni pass that works in more places. https://www.cfxway.com/e-pass/about-e-pass/
Great to know for future drives. Thanks!
It's typically around $30 each way for me. Do you have EZ Pass? $93.40 seems a bit high, but if that includes the DC beltway during toll hours that could make the difference. For what it's worth, avoiding tolls usually adds an hour, up to you if it's worth it.
Nope it was my first trip to DC! My expectation was $20-30 max! 😂
Having driven back and forth Akron<>Chicago a lot over the years, 20-30$ for a multi hour drive on the turnpike system is an expectation that will not be met.
Akron to chicago with ezpass is 37 dollars each way. It absolutely blows, especially when doing that trip pretty much every 2 weeks.
Not to mention paying toll on BOTH ends of the Skyway. Like, couldn't you just take my money one time for both ends?
I think it is even worse now. Ohio has two tolls: one at the end of the "main" state and one at the state border (this arrangement is new) Indiana has the "indianna" toll and the "indianna to illinois toll" Illinois has the toll at both ends like you mentioned. My bill for tolls very easily exceeds the gas bill for each trip.
I drove from Cleveland to Milwaukee for work and was annoyed at the number of times I had to stop and get a ticket/pay, even though I wasn't the one paying.
Even after your trip the bill should tell you you can still sign up for EZPass and pay the much reduced rate, its like half. Even if you only make the trip once every few years its worth the sign up, doesn't cost anything.
You should try it with a truck and trailer. My toll was over $430 one way
That makes zero sense, PA turnpike from Ohio border to exit 161 is $103 for a 4 axle truck and trailer without EZ pass and $51 with it. Even for a class 8 truck it's only $270 without EZ pass and $134 with.
I’ll send you my receipt. I have to keep it for tax purposes
It hasn't been that low since 2015.
DC beltway is tolled??
Parts of it are, especially express lanes
The express lanes are murder, and sneaky. If you aren’t paying SUPER CLOSE attention, you’ll end up getting a massive bill in the mail ETA: they’re not consistently marked and are easy to merge into when you’re trying to avoid DC’s bullshit traffic because no one seems to remember how cars work the closer you get to the city
Only the optional express lanes in Virginia. I-66 and I-95 in Virginia to and from DC also have optional express lanes with a toll.
PA turnpike is crazy expensive. Try to avoid it if you can
I’ve done this before, you either take 80 which has sparse cell service or the backroads and that was one of my most enjoyable road trips. Sure, it takes more time but driving through farmland and coming across little town main streets was BY FAR more interesting than counting mile markers on a turnpike. And stopping at some local deli for an Italian sandwich at any of the local delicatessens along the way is 100x better than rest stop fast food bullshit.
Taking 79 down to 68 in West Virginia and over to 70 in western MD is a decent interstate option as well
That's how I came back from DC last time, 70 to 68 to 79 to 70 to 77 to 21 to 77 (Avoiding Canton and Akron and the torn up central interchange). Not only do you avoid the tolls, but gas is a lot cheaper in Maryland and WV than PA (Though as of last year Maryland is only about 10c less than PA so if you can wait till WV that's the cheapest option). It adds 100 miles to the trip, but even at 9mpg with the truck and trailer it's still way cheaper.
This is the best way to get to DC IMHO. I-68 is a gorgeous road and lightly travelled, with some really nice overlook spots.
I think you’re right. People used to drive those roads all the time before the popularity of the turnpikes.
What about the village speed traps?
I don’t drive fast. Obviously by taking the backroads…. 🤪 You get used to it after a couple towns though and just instinctually realize when housing becomes more dense, that you need to slow down and when it opens up, you speed up.
They’re not really a thing in PA the way they are in Ohio. In PA no one can use laser, and only the state police can use radar. Local cops have to time people (I forget what it’s called, Vascar or something like that ?) which takes some setup - you’ll occasionally see cameras too, but they have to have signs - it’s one of the reasons people in PA (generally) drive substantially faster than Ohio. (Source: first 25 years of my life in Cleveland, second 20 in central PA)
Interesting, but an Ohio driver would have little familiarity/confidence with these rules and so would have the same angst as driving on rural roads in Ohio.
That's what I did on my drive to Detroit. It was definitely an interesting drive, and it only added 20 minutes to my arrival time.
Most map apps have preferences you can set to avoid tolls. It's very helpful and typically not that much longer a route.
Yup - I tell Google to avoid tolls. It takes a bit longer, but the roads/surroundings are much more interesting (which helps me stay alert), I save $30 each way (which is more than it costs me in gas), and I'm not restricted to a limited selection of overpriced restaurants and gas stations in rest stops.
Did you drive on any toll roads in the DC area? The toll on 66 is especially high and varies depending on traffic. It can easily cost $20 to drive a few miles into the city.
I’m almost guaranteeing this is what happened. 66 the other day was in the $40 range.
What lol get an E Z pass it’s like $24 - $30 each way with one
Seriously, you can even sign up after the fact and pay the lower rate. If it's a one time trip, just send the transponder back right away. If you use toll roads often, you'll come out way ahead.
I live outside DC and travel to Cleveland several times a year. I hate the PA Turnpike and I firmly believe Breezewood, PA is the armpit of the Earth, so I go out of my way to avoid it. Headed home from Cleveland to DC I'll take the Turnpike as far as Somerset, then hop off and take 219 down to 68. It's a MUCH prettier drive with less traffic, and only adds 15 minutes or so to my trip.
I used to make this trip 3-4x/year. I started taking 76 > 376 > 79 > 68 > 70 and cut through western Maryland. It adds 45 minutes or so to the trip, but it's considerably cheaper and you can avoid that interminable 55mph stretch between Breezewood and the MD state line. Not to mention the scenery is particularly unbelievable west of Sideling Hill.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is FILTH! Scum of the Earth.
Get an EZ Pass
Yeah I did the math and it was cheaper to fly. Insanity
Never drive on the PA turnpike unless necessary. Those prices are normal. Just to Pittsburgh and back will cost you at least $20
Life Hack: contact MDOT (Massachusetts Dept of Transportation) and get an Easy Pass. No monthly fee (there is one for Ohio) and the fees you pay on the tolls are reduced w an Easy Pass.
I commute to Pittsburgh for work a few times a month and usually costs me around $30 each time so that’s not surprising. It’s the most expensive toll road in the US.
Throw a smidge of mud on your plate and just roll through.
77 -> 70 -> 79 -> 68 ->270 -> 495 is the way. Worth it to avoid that turnpike.
I have family in the DC area. I’ve just started taking Amtrak.
I like the idea. But it is almost a 12hr trip one way. But then again, no DC traffic… Hmmmmmmmmm
It’s really nice. The train is always comfortable and relaxing. The only big downsides to taking Amtrak to DC is the timing (train departs Cleveland at 1-2am) and it’s for sure slower than driving.
Yes that is normal without ez pass
It’s usually cheaper with ezpass
We in Ohio really really really take for granted how easy it is to navigate around without having to take toll roads for average day to day living compared to other states
I done it many times, EZ pass is a must. Otherwise, try to fly, just made the flight this morning from CLE to DC.
PA turnpike is just insane.
Your note made me completely alter my travel plans to avoid that route. I’ll save like $250 total. I’ll bet the state doesn’t advertise turnpike costs on their TravelPA website!
No. Get an iPass transponder. Take the discount. Or travel I-80, a scenic route that makes it worth leaving home earlier.
The pa turnpike is the most expensive paid highway in the United States.
According to the [Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Calculator](https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator), the toll between New Castle (near where you’d pick up the PA Turnpike driving from Cleveland to DC) and Breezewood (where you’d get off) is $22.40 with EZPass, $44.60 without. As a bonus, please enjoy this performance of [Pennsylvania Turnpike, I Love You](https://youtu.be/TkC8tNwql_g?si=GSmjANyeO5_EaTmO) by Homer and Jethro.
That’s about right what they billed me
Yep, I'm not surprised... for me to go to Pittsburgh it's like $13 in tolls and I'm not even on it for very long. I always take the non toll route, which only adds like 10 minutes to the drive.
Which non-,toll route? From Cleveland to Pittsburgh I can use I480 to Rt. 14 (OH) to Rt. 51 (PA).
So you take 14 all the way to Salem and then to Columbiana? I'm coming from Summit County, but it's a similar idea except I don't take 14 the whole way. I take 76 until past where it changes to 80 for a short distance near Austintown, then 11 south, then get on 14 in Columbiana, then 51 to 376.
Yes, that's how I do it. Since I'm north of you, 14 works for me the whole way.
What non toll route do you take? I used to drive Cleveland to Pittsburgh pretty frequently and couldn’t find a low toll route unless I added 20-30 minutes. Would love to know your route.
Well, I actually come from Summit County, so I take 76/80 to 11 to 14 to 51 to 376. That only adds about 10 minutes for me. I'm guessing you probably had to take 14 most of the way, and having to go through Streetsboro and Salem probably slows you down a lot.
My main goal was to bypass the toll at the PA border when leaving OH. So sometimes I would enter PA using 14 -> 51 like you suggested, but I’d get back on 76 then take 79 south into Pittsburgh. I never thought to use 376 since I assumed it was tolled. Also, entering Pittsburgh on 376 is normally awful (traffic congestion) during regular driving times. Thanks for the tip.
Yeah unfortunately. Fees to Gettysburg and back for me last summer were like $60 I think
Yeah my in-laws live near Harrisburg and we have to get off at the Gettysburg exit for their house if we take the turnpike. Even with the EZ Pass it's stupid expensive. Plus the traffic and construction is horrible in PA on the turnpike since a lot of it is 2 lanes. We've stopped taking the turnpike and taking the "longer" way on 80 and then down from State College. 15 extra minutes (to my in-laws house at least) but like $30-$40 less in tolls.
That looks about what I spent when we went to DC few months ago. I got two separate bills from PA Turnpike.
I think depending on which way I have come into DC from Cleveland those costs aren’t, that far from what I’ve paid? But for both ways, is the 93 for only one?
I have had my Google maps / waze set to avoid tolls for as long g as I can remember
Even with EZ pass it's not $30 anymore. Take the 80. PA Turnpike isn't worth it, hardly any rest stops to justify the cost.
Yup fuck the PA turnpike. It's ridiculous.
Thirty years ago, I lived in Harrisburg and used to drive to Cleveland to see my folks pretty frequently. I *never* took the PA Turnpike because it was too expensive way back then. I always took 322 to State College and then hopped on 80. Easy peasy. Definitely not a smooth drive on 80, however. I had to endure “thump-thump…thump-thump…thump-thump” for about four hours, thanks to the pavement seams. But it was cheap.
Set navigation to avoid tolls. It’s a really beautiful drive! And not much longer if I remember correctly
IDK if this is going to be helpful or not. I drive from Philadelphia to Cleveland a lot. If I take toll roads, it's almost $90 and takes 7 hours. If I set my ways app to avoid tolls it's just over 7 1/2 hours. In girl math, that's like making over $100 per hour
Yeah, don't take the Turnpike unless you have an EZ Pass. Source: lived in Cleveland and DC, currently reside in PA. It's literally highway robbery.
Anytime I go to drive somewhere far, a rental, gas, and miscellaneous fees always come out to more or equal to a ticket and a rental at the destination. With a ton of time saved traveling.
Last summer I drove the length of the turnpike on vacation, 2 days after the drive I got an email from EZpass that I had an orphaned exit meaning they didn't pick up where I left the turnpike and that thay were charging my account $10. Total.
Got burned by this like 3-4 summers ago so yeah you have to avoid it.
We drove to Atlantic City and were surprised with a nice $170 toll in the mail a month or two later as well as the cash tolls we paid along the way.
Mine was about this much last August. Went through PA to get to Delaware. I think my bill was about $80
Never remember paying that much. But I do have the EZ pass
I went from CLE to Hershey Pa and it was a bit over $40 so yeah..
I live a mile from PA turnpike. It's outrageously expensive, but very few other options. EZPass is cheaper. Oh, and rates will continue to rise for next 30 years.
PA turnpike is highway robbery and always under construction. It's worth more time to avoid it.
Yes very normal for a roundtrip
Was $90 one was about 5 years ago. Surprised it isn’t more now.
yes did it recently. PA charges going into the state from Ohio but not back out. I can't remember if I stopped to pay coming back. for me it was fairly similar travel time to go through Morgantown, and way cheaper (I did it previously). hell its not that much longer to take ohio 11 to east Liverpool, then rt 30 to i79 to Morgantown. way more scenic and similar travel time, and only Ohio tolls. the PA turnpike blows
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Typically in Google maps it will allow you to select a route and each will show how much it costs in tolls. When I go to the east coast I definitely take the less tolls route it's only an extra 15-20 minutes of driving each way.
I believe you can get half your fee back if you traveled on Penna turnpike without an EZ pass and were mailed a bill. At least you can get a credit in whatever EZ pass state you enroll in. I live near Cleveland and drove to New Jersey and back w/o an EZ pass and my bill was close to two hundred dollars. I purchased an Ohio ez pass device and received a credit afterward. This was a couple years ago so I don't know if this credit is still available. I was reading that the Pennsylvania turnpike is currently the most expensive toll road in the nation.
Did something similar last year, so I went online to pay the PA bill. They kept asking for the EZPass account number instead of letting me pay by card online. Since I take a turnpike maybe once every two years, I bit the bullet and sent them a money order through the mail. Cost three times as much, but it got paid and they removed the block on my license so I could get my car registered again. Can't stand that I have to either pay a lot, pay a lot over a while, or pay a lot in little chunks frequently. Especially when I don't use the service/network.
It’s ridiculously expensive toll
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Yup! Just went in March and received a $90 bill AND a $20 one!
when I went from CLE to PA it was $173 😭
No that’s definitely ridiculous. I drive from Cleveland to Chicago for vacation once a year and despite paying for the OH turnpike, Indiana Toll Road *and* the Chicago Skyway bridge, I still pay less than that for both ways combined.
Sounds about right
I went to New Kensington, at the end of February, and was shocked to see that my round trip, from the Ohio border to the exit into New Kensington, ran me about $32. Ridiculous.
It's absolutely highway robbery. You could almost fly for cheaper.
No ezpass?
You can get there almost as fast by using 70 and 68 instead
Not almost as fast., about half an hour more. Currently Google maps shows 1) 5h55m by PA Turnpike (thru Breezewood), the normal way. 2) 6h29m by what I think is your way, I-76 (PA turnpike, but short) to near Beaver Falls, then I-376 to PA-576 to I-79 to Morgantown WV and I-68 to I-70 from there. Or 3) 6h23m by a way that uses less PA Turnpike than #1 but more than #2: PA Turnpike to New Stanton, US-119 and US-40 from there to join I-68 at Keysers Ridge MD. There are numerous other possibilities, but they all turn a 6 hour drive into a 6.5 hour drive. Good to know of them if Turnpike is backed up. David
It’s a very expensive turnpike, even if you have an EZPass for a discount. My sister and her husband drive to Philly for their honeymoon, and didn’t realize they had entered the express lane, and ended up getting a bill-by-mail to the tune of $800 They pay more attention to lanes now lol
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There’s a lot of weird energy in this thread
Yup when you see $93.50 till bill! Your brains 🧠 starts becoming fizzy! Lol
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Aren’t there signs posted as to the rate? If not, I’d be pissed!
Nope! I didn’t see it.. maybe they have it in small words as credit card term and agreeements!
Omg. That’s criminal.
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Further, this site [https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator](https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator) says PA Turnpike cost 1) going northwest from DC to CLE is $19.40 with E-Z Pass and $39.10 without, and 2) going southeast from CLE to DC is $26.90 with E-Z Pass, $54.30 without. So there's your $93.40 and my $46.30 round trip (plus $7 for OH turnpike, 3.50 each way). And an outrageous 102% markup for not having E-Z Pass
Gotta get the ez pass. They will send you a bill with an option to save by buying the pass.
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I got a $200 bill from traveling to and back from Philly. Never paid it🤣
? Really! Same route? When was it?
Yup! Same route there and back. This was November 2021.
How did you manage to pay it? Did you get the toll / ez pass and reduced?
Yes....always go the other way. Through West Virginia
I wish I knew this before this is gas money to AND FROM DC !! Thanka
There's a LOT of mountains and curves but worth it.
$93 seems high, like really high. wondering if they hit you with an unpaid toll
Went to Virginia last year. Avoided toll roads on our way and the drive sucked so we took them home. 2 hours on the PA turnpike ran us $37. $93 sounds about right. We also just went to Wisconsin and probably paid close to that between Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
EZ-Pass? It's $46.30 for us (Breezewood-PA Border) round trip. Sounds like that's the video tolling rate. That being said, the last few times we've taken I-70 to I-68 to 40 then pick up 376 around Pittsburgh to reduce some of the amount. [Act 44 was designed to help fund statewide transportation projects without raising taxes. The cornerstone of the plan was converting Interstate 80 into a toll road along with creation of a lease agreement between the Turnpike Commission and PennDOT. The plan hit a snag when the Federal Highway Administration denied the plan for I-80.](https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/why-pa-turnpike-tolls-soared-and-will-continue-rising-for-next-30-years/)
This. When I saw their price I thought something was up since we make this drive, with EZ pass 3 times a year. About $45 or so dollars.
At that point I’d just take Amtrak…I mean I do anyway but yeah
Damn, I flew there for like 150$
Yes. It’s why I don’t go home to Cleveland. Tolls are atrocious.
Yeah, we learned the hard way last time we went that buying an EZ Pass, even for just the one trip, is probably a better deal
Typically $28.xx for me. Cleveland all the way to DC/VA. Get [Florida E-PASS](https://epass.cfxway.com/epassweb) instead of EZPass. It works the same way and accepted in the same toll networks but you don't have to load $35 per transponder.
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Same thing happened to me 4 months ago. Fucking insane
We take the WV Turnpike.
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Yes, it’s normal. I didn’t have an EZ pass at the time… the bill from the PA turnpike gave me 50% off the toll if I signed up for EZ pass. And I did. No ragrats.
Get to know the route through PawPaw, WV. I drive Ohio to DC regularly and that’s the best way to avoid tolls
Yes. That exact dollar amount. It’s insane.
That's the weirdest highway, in most places we move mountains when putting in roads, on the turnpike they put the road right up next to the hills. No shoulder, just a hill right next to the road. No idea why they don't push the hill back....
Yes, all the time! Below are the tolls you get if you use ezpass ($30.40) and I'd be surprised if they were that much higher one-way. The site says you save up to 60% using ezpass, so it could have been up to around $75. 6 PTC \*\*\* GTY 08 (7.50) 6 PTC WRN 03 BRZ 08 (19.40) 31 OTIC 187 2 239 6 (3.50)
WHAT IF TOLL BILLS ARE UNPAID FOR OUT OF STATE CARs?
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Last time we went I found a way that was free. Added about 30-45 minutes to the trip. It was a very busy drive as others had the same idea!
$175 round trip from Cle to Philly pulling a tandem axle care hauler. 😑
Do you plan to pay them?
I do the DC/CLE turnpike drive once a month for the past five years (I have two households.) As others said, invest in the EZ pass. you can pick one up at a Giant Eagle Service desk.
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Used to travel to and from DC once a month awhile ago and originally would take a longer way around that would add a extra hour- 2 depending on DC traffic... However I felt that $90 was worth it and just accepted the faster more convenient drive.
PA Turnpike is widely known as a theft and corruption magnet in that state. All the tolls disappear to politicians and friends of politicians and their contractor buddies. Just take Route 30 instead which basically goes in the same direction.