General Car Conversation
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thats the total of the tolls for that route, so spread out over the 150 miles. The route I took had no tolls. But tolls up and down that 95 corridor are insane. I blame a lot of peoples tolerance for it on EZPass, people don't realize what they spend. If they had to fork out $25 in paper money for tolls they would realize...
If you think that is bad, I-66 commuters, sometimes, depending on rush-hour traffic-demand with the variable-rates, have to fork out over $40 on their passes just to drive the 15 or so miles of I-66 inside the Beltway. Preposterous.....but it has not changed, even with people complaining about it.
I don't think it is a matter of people not "realizing" what they spend....it is that, in some places, agencies simply know that they can charge high fees for tolls like this, and get them, because it is essentially a monopoly. There is little competition except for the unreliable, poorly-run, and incompetent Metro subway lines. And the Metro itself is also somewhat of a monopoly.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 7, 2023 at 03:13 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 185
From: New York
If you think that is bad, I-66 commuters, sometimes, depending on rush-hour traffic-demand with the variable-rates, have to fork out over $40 on their passes just to drive the 15 or so miles of I-66 inside the Beltway. Preposterous.....but it has not changed, even with people complaining about it.
I don't think it is a matter of people not "realizing" what they spend....it is that, in some places, agencies simply know that they can charge high fees for tolls like this, and get them, because it is essentially a monopoly. There is little competition except for the unreliable, poorly-run, and incompetent Metro subway lines. And the Metro itself is also somewhat of a monopoly.
I don't think it is a matter of people not "realizing" what they spend....it is that, in some places, agencies simply know that they can charge high fees for tolls like this, and get them, because it is essentially a monopoly. There is little competition except for the unreliable, poorly-run, and incompetent Metro subway lines. And the Metro itself is also somewhat of a monopoly.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: TX
1BigDB
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 497
From: Maryland
If you think that is bad, I-66 commuters, sometimes, depending on rush-hour traffic-demand with the variable-rates, have to fork out over $40 on their passes just to drive the 15 or so miles of I-66 inside the Beltway. Preposterous.....but it has not changed, even with people complaining about it.
I don't think it is a matter of people not "realizing" what they spend....it is that, in some places, agencies simply know that they can charge high fees for tolls like this, and get them, because it is essentially a monopoly. There is little competition except for the unreliable, poorly-run, and incompetent Metro subway lines. And the Metro itself is also somewhat of a monopoly.
I don't think it is a matter of people not "realizing" what they spend....it is that, in some places, agencies simply know that they can charge high fees for tolls like this, and get them, because it is essentially a monopoly. There is little competition except for the unreliable, poorly-run, and incompetent Metro subway lines. And the Metro itself is also somewhat of a monopoly.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
When I drove down to Florida 95 in VA was backed up and I paid $34 to take the express lane and that only lasted a short while because that was backed up as well a few miles down. I should have clocked it to see how much distance it covered that wasn’t backed up but it wasn’t much although I probably saved at least 20 minutes. Kind of a waste of money once the express was backed up. I felt ripped off. Worst part was that I was in traffic for an hour and there didn’t seem to be a reason for it other than people don’t know how to drive or merge.
I-95, particuarly in Northern-to-Central VA, is (arguably) the most congested Interstate highway in the country.....certainly the most congested one in the East. I-66, also in Northern VA, is almost as bad, and probably has more accidents, because of the endless construction.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
Google Maps over CarPlay, love the satellite maps.
I just mapped out from my office in the Philly 'burbs, just off I-476, to Gaithersburg, MD -- tolls are $8.65; but without the Route 200 leg, it's only $7.00. It would be another $14.90 up the PA Turnpike NE Extension for the full length from the East-West Turnpike all the way to Clark's Summit. I'm not sure if those are EZ Pass rates. So the biggest chunk of the toll isn't on 95 - it's the PA Turnpike.
If you think that is bad, I-66 commuters, sometimes, depending on rush-hour traffic-demand with the variable-rates, have to fork out over $40 on their passes just to drive the 15 or so miles of I-66 inside the Beltway. Preposterous.....but it has not changed, even with people complaining about it..
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
Saving on tolls is hardly worth the penalty of driving with a false plate. Sheesh.
I ain't going to jail to save toll money.
Common examples of falsifying registration plates include:
- Alter an originally issued license plate
- Using a counterfeit license plate
- Using a false or stolen registration sticker
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 17,798
Likes: 1,680
From: Ohio
Plus the reality is if you can afford the fine/legal you can do it. These guys did the math and rather risk the court annoyance
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
People here use plate flippers lol! It's way more common than you think and it's why the rates are disproportionate at times, I don't do it since I don't go on toll roads enough to care but I know a few hotshot drivers who do since their common route has a LOT of tolls
Plus the reality is if you can afford the fine/legal you can do it. These guys did the math and rather risk the court annoyance
Plus the reality is if you can afford the fine/legal you can do it. These guys did the math and rather risk the court annoyance
These are the penalties in Ohio:
If you are convicted of knowingly displaying a fictitious plate, consequences could include:
- you are guilty of committing a class 2 misdemeanor.
- Up to $750 in fines plus surcharges, which can nearly double the fine amount.
- Up to 4 months in jail.
- Up to 2 years probation
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 17,798
Likes: 1,680
From: Ohio
It's reality really, cops are too few and far between out here for most to care
