http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-tollroads-20170403-story.html
When you’ve been counting on tolls to get where you’re going, it takes a lot of work to negotiate a lower price.
When you’ve been counting on tolls to get where you’re going, it takes a lot of work to negotiate a lower price. It’s like being in a foreign country and dealing with your local taxi driver: even though they don’t speak your language and aren’t part of the same culture as you, they should still treat you with respect because they understand how important it is your trip is.
Toll rates vary widely across the US, but most are around $1 or so per mile—before gas prices get factored in! That means if you drive 150 miles in one direction, chances are high that any given day will see a toll crossing somewhere along its route (even if it doesn’t seem like much).
Combining several routes can be more cost-effective but requires time and effort.
If you’re willing to plan, it’s also possible to save money by combining routes. You’ll need to consider how much time and effort it will take. For example, if you’re driving between two cities on a single day of the week (such as Monday), consider taking advantage of peak hours when traffic is better to save money on tolls.
You might have to pay more for tolls if you travel during peak hours.
You might have to pay more for tolls if you travel during peak hours. Peak hours are 6–9 am and 3–6 pm on weekdays, not weekends. Peak hours also apply during the day, not at night. The peak hour times vary depending on where you live and work in New York State, but they are generally between 7:30 am, 8:00 am, 8:30 a..m., etc., all the way up until noon, then again from 3 pm-5 p..m.; finally ending again at 7p..m.-9pm.
You save money by taking the carpool lane, but there are time restrictions.
If you’re in a hurry, taking the carpool lane can help save money and time. But there are time restrictions. You must be driving with at least two other people and at most five minutes behind the vehicle ahead of you. The maximum speed for this section is 65 miles per hour (mph).
If you choose this option, note that:
Technology has made toll roads a thing of the past.
E-ZPass has replaced tolls. E-ZPass is a transponder that you place on your car, and it’s used to pay tolls in many states. The transponder can be purchased anytime, but it’s most cost-effective to do so before leaving home for the first time.
You’ll need an E-ZPass if:
First and foremost, I’d like to thank my close friend, who has been with me since the beginning. Without her, this entire project would not be possible.
I’d also like to give a special thanks to everyone who took the time to read this. Those who have gone out of their way to tell me how practical the book was or what a great idea it is will be acknowledged later in the credits section.
