The convenient network of toll roads in Northern Virginia provides critical alternate routes for commuters. With seven toll lanes in operation, understanding how tolling works is necessary. In this article, we’ll look at each toll road’s details, tolling hours, HOV regulations, and payment options. Hope this helps you in navigating the complexities of the Northern Virginia toll system.
Table of Contents
Northern Virginia Express Lanes / Toll Roads – Overview
| Toll | Fees 2-Axle | Pay Methods | HOV | Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 Outside | Dynamic | E-ZPass | HOV 3 | 833-643-2867 |
| 66 Inside | Dynamic | E-ZPass | HOV 3 | 800-367-7623 |
| 495 | Dynamic | E-ZPass | HOV 3 | 855-495-9777 |
| 395 | Dynamic | E-ZPass | HOV 3 | 855-495-9777 |
| 95 | Dynamic | E-ZPass | HOV 3 | 855-495-9777 |
| Dulles | $4 – $5.60 | E-ZPass | HOV 2 | 888-860-9361 |
| Greenway | $4.10-$5.25 | E-ZPass Credit Card | None | 703-707-8870 |
Toll Fees, Rates & Payments
The toll fees for Route 66, inside and outside express lanes, 495, 395, and 95 are dynamically calculated. There should be no surprises since the toll fees are clearly displayed on the screen. The Dulles Toll and the Greenway have different rates.
2023 Toll Rates for the Dulles Toll Road
| Vehicle Class | Main Line Plaza | Ramps | ||
| E-ZPass Rate | Pay-by-Plate Rate | E-ZPass Rate | Pay-by-Plate Rate | |
| 2-axle | $4.00 | $5.60 | $2.00 | $3.60 |
| 3-axle | $8.00 | $9.60 | $4.00 | $5.60 |
| 4-axle | $9.25 | $10.85 | $4.50 | $6.10 |
| 5-axel | $10.50 | $12.10 | $5.00 | $6.60 |
| 6 or more | $11.75 | $13.35 | $5.50 | $7.10 |
2023 Toll Rates for the Dulles Greenway
The table below is for 2-axle vehicles only. For other axles, please use the toll calculator. For 2-axle vehicles, the toll rates are between $4.10 to $5.25 as shown below.
| Leesburg Bypass | Battlefield Pkwy | Shreve Mill Rd | Belmont Ridge | Claiborne Pkwy | Ryan Rd | Loudoun County Pkwy | Ox Rd | Dulles Airport | Mainline Plaza | |
| Leesburg Bypass | – | Free | $4.10 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Battlefield Pkwy | Free | – | $4.10 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Shreve Mill Rd | $4.10 | $4.10 | – | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Belmont Ridge | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | – | $4.55 | $4.55 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Claiborne Pkwy | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | – | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | |
| Ryan Rd | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | $4.55 | – | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Loudoun County Pkwy | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | – | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Ox Rd | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | – | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Dulles Airport | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | – | – |
| Mainline Plaza | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | $5.25 | – |
How to Pay Tolls in Virginia?
All Express Lanes in Northern Virginia use E-ZPass and E-ZPass Flex electronic toll payment. You can order a transponder online at E-ZPass’s website.
You can also buy an E-ZPass transponder by visiting a customer service center or retail stores: Giant, Wegmans, AAA, DMVs and many more locations. For more convenience, you can also set up an auto-replenishment option for your E-ZPass account. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the toll rates and payment methods before using the Express Lanes.
What Happens if You Miss a Toll?
If you miss a toll, you will receive an invoice to your address. Just follow the instruction on the invoice to pay the missed toll. Just remember that the toll roads in Virginia are operated by a number of different entities. You will receive invoice from one of these entities. If you don’t pay the bill, they will be sent to a contracted collection company.
Toll Violation
If you fail to pay the toll on any toll roads in Virginia, you will receive a violation notice in the mail. A typical violation mail will include the toll amount, administrative fee, and instructions on how to pay or dispute the toll violation. You really need to take care of it promptly to avoid penalties.
There are many violation scenarios.
- Driving on Express Lanes without an E-ZPass
- You will receive a toll invoice or a violation notice depending on the toll facility.
- Driving on Express Lanes with E-ZPass, but no fund
- E-ZPass will send you an alert of low-fund. Auto replenish is recommended.
- HOV 3 violation
- Using Express Lanes with HOV 3 switch on without 3 passengers will result in heavy fine
- First offense – $125
- Second offense – $250 + three points on your driving record
- Third offense – $500 + three points on your driving record
- Fourth offense – $1,000 + plus three points on your driving record
- Using Express Lanes with HOV 3 switch on without 3 passengers will result in heavy fine
Toll Roads in Northern Virginia
66 Express Lanes – Outside the Beltway
66 Express Outside the Beltway provides two express lanes from Gainesville to the Capital Beltway (I-495). Express lanes are dynamically tolled. Every toll gate should have a toll fee display. To access the toll roads, you will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex. If you are using HOV-3 lane, you must have E-ZPass Flex. E-ZPass Flex holders can use the express lanes for free with 3 passengers (1 driver, 2 passengers).
66 Express Lanes – Inside the Beltway
66 Express Inside the Beltway spans from I-495 to Route 29 in Rosslyn. Unlike the Outside the Beltway Express, there are no dedicated express lanes inside the Beltway. The lanes become tolled at certain hours instead.
Hours of operation
- Westbound : 3:00 – 7:00 PM
- Eastbound : 5:30 – 9:30 AM
Outside the hours of toll operation, the express lanes become general purpose lanes, free to use (HOV not required). The lanes are free with no tolling on federal holidays. This express lane used to be HOV-2, but effective December 5, 2022, it is now HOV-3.
495 Express Lanes
495 Express has two dedicated toll roads from McLean to the 95/395 junction. This express section saves your time significantly. Just use it. 495 is also HOV-3. 3 people in a car can travel free with E-ZPass Flex (must have HOV ON)
395 & 95 Express Lanes
The 395 Express runs from Edsall Road to the 14th Street Bridge in D.C. Drivers need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex to use the Express Lanes. It is also a HOV-3 toll road.
Now, the 395 & 95 Express Lanes are tricky to use. The lanes are reverible. Make sure to study the schedule before planning your trip. The hours are not set in stone. Use their app or Twitter (X) to check the reversal schedule. But here is the approximate schedule.
Weekdays:
- Closed for reversal – 1am to 3am (except Monday)
- Open northbound – 3am to 11am
- Closed for reversal – 11am to 1pm
- Open southbound – 1pm to 1am
Saturday:
- Open southbound – 12am to 2pm
- Closed for reversal – 2pm to 4pm
- Open northbound – 4pm to 12am
Sunday:
- Open northbound – 12am Sunday to 12am Monday
Basically, on weekdays, the Express Lanes are open toward DC, and away from DC in the afternoon. That’s the easiest way to remember. In between, the toll roads are closed for about 2 hours for reversal.
Dulles Toll Road
The toll road connects the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Washington Dulles International Airport. Unlike 66 Express, Dulles Toll Road is 100% toll with an HOV lane during rush hours. Toll rates are flat. Dulles Toll accepts E-ZPass and Pay-by-Plate with a higher toll rate. Dulles Toll is HOV-2 from Route 28 to the main toll plaza, Monday through Friday between 6:30-9am eastbound, 4-6:30pm westbound.
Dulles Greenway
The Greenway provides safe highway from Mainline Plaza / Dulles Airport to Leesburg Bypass, Route 15. The Greenway is the only toll roads in Northern Virginia that accepts credit card as acceptable payment.
Other Toll Roads in Virginia
Apart from Northern Virginia, there are several other toll raods in Virginia, including those in Richmond, and Hampton Roads. More information on these toll roads will be covered in a seperate post.
Richmond
- Powhite Parkway Extension (VDOT)
- Powhite Parkway (RMTA)
- Boulevard Bridge (RMTA)
- Downtown Express (RMTA)
- Pocahontas Parkway (Globalvia)
Hampton Roads
- Coleman Bridge
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
- 64 Express Lanes
- Elizabeth River Tunnels (Midtown Tunnel)
- Elizabeth River Tunnels (Downtown Tunnel)
- South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
- Dominion Boulevard
- Chesapeake Expressway
Final Thoughts
Finding basic information on toll roads in Northern Virginia was difficult. It took me hours of research and digging to find toll rates and up-to-date regulations. It makes it even more difficult because every toll facility is owned and operated by different public and private entities. Each toll has its own rules and fees, with its own website. It’s crazy how unorganized they are considering how much money they make from us. I made this page to help you get information quickly on toll roads in Northern Virginia.
FAQs
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Does Virginia have toll roads?
Yes. There are 20 toll roads in Virginia and more to come. Currently, there are 7 toll roads in Northern Virginia, 5 in Richmond, and 8 in Hampton Roads.
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How do I pay a missed toll in Virginia
If you miss a toll in Virginia, you will receive an invoice by mail.
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How much is Virginia toll violation?
It depends, because in the Code of Virginia (Article 1.1. Toll Violations and Enforcement), it gives toll operators to
rights to collect a “reasonable”
administrative fee in addition to the unpaid toll.“The toll facility operator may impose and collect an administrative fee in addition to the unpaid toll so as to recover the expenses of collecting the unpaid toll, which administrative fee shall be reasonably related to the actual cost of collecting the unpaid toll and not exceed $100 per violation.”
For example, for 66 toll roads, they charge unpaid toll + $1.50, which increases to $12.50 if you fail to pay.
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Can I Use E-ZPass on a Rental Car or a Truck?
Yes. Just add the vehicle to your E-ZPass using their online dashboard. Make sure to remove it after returning
the rented vehicle. If not, you will be billed if someone uses that vehicle in Express Lanes. It actulaly happened to me with a moving van I rented for a day. Be careful.
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