There's something magical about a cross-country road trip, especially when you're cruising from the heartland of Ohio to the majestic peaks of Colorado. As we prepared for this exciting journey, we talked about a little gadget that's going to make our drive smoother and hassle-free: the EZ Pass. Trust us, once you've experienced the convenience of this tiny device, you'll wonder how you ever traveled without it!

EZ Pass is an electronic toll collection system that allows you to zip through toll booths without fumbling for cash or cards. It's a simple transponder that you stick on your windshield. When you approach a toll plaza, the EZ Pass system reads your transponder and deducts the toll amount from your prepaid account. No stopping, no waiting – just keep on driving! We connected our account to a PayPal account as we attempt to limit access to our actual bank accounts.

Why You'll Love EZ Pass

1. Save Time: No more waiting in long lines at toll booths. With EZ Pass, you can breeze through the dedicated EZ Pass lanes and keep your road trip momentum going.
2. Cost-Effective: Many states offer discounted toll rates for EZ Pass users. That means more money for roadside diners, quirky souvenir shops, and fun attractions.
3. Convenience: It's a seamless way to travel. Your tolls are automatically paid, and you can easily track your expenses online.

States That Accept EZ Pass

As we planned our route from Ohio to Colorado, it was good to know where our EZ Pass would be accepted. Here's a list of states where EZ Pass is accepted:

• Ohio: Starting off in the Buckeye State, you'll find EZ Pass lanes on the Ohio Turnpike.
• Indiana: EZ Pass is accepted on the Indiana Toll Road, which will be a part of your journey westward.
• Illinois: As you head through the Land of Lincoln, you'll use your EZ Pass on several tollways around Chicago.
• Kentucky: While not heavy on toll roads, the RiverLink system in Louisville accepts EZ Pass.
• West Virginia: If your route takes you through the Mountain State, the West Virginia Turnpike is EZ Pass friendly.
• Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Turnpike, a major artery, is all set for EZ Pass.
• New York: If you decide to detour through New York, rest assured your EZ Pass will be honored.
• New Jersey: Cruising through the Garden State? EZ Pass is your ticket to easy travel.
• Delaware: The Delaware Turnpike and other toll roads welcome EZ Pass.
• Maryland: From the Fort McHenry Tunnel to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, EZ Pass is accepted throughout Maryland.
• Virginia: Traveling through the Old Dominion State? EZ Pass has you covered.
• Maine: If you venture northeast, Maine's Turnpike uses EZ Pass.
• Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Turnpike and other toll roads accept EZ Pass.
• New Hampshire: New Hampshire's toll roads are also EZ Pass ready.
• Rhode Island: The Newport Pell Bridge and other toll roads accept EZ Pass.
• Connecticut: The state’s few toll roads will accept your EZ Pass.
• North Carolina: The NC Quick Pass system is compatible with EZ Pass.
• South Carolina: EZ Pass is accepted on select toll roads in South Carolina.
• Florida: The Sunshine State’s SunPass system works with EZ Pass for toll roads.

Beyond the EZ Pass Zone

Once we hit states like Colorado, we were out of the EZ Pass network, but no worries! Many western states have their own electronic toll systems, and they often offer similar benefits. In Colorado, for example, the ExpressToll system will be our go-to for hassle-free travel on the toll roads.

Tips for the Road

1. Check Your Balance: Before you hit the road, make sure your EZ Pass account is topped up. You don’t want any surprises mid-trip.
2. Mount it Right: Ensure your transponder is correctly mounted on your windshield. Instructions come with the device, and it’s pretty straightforward.
3. Plan Your Route: Use a mapping app to plan your route and identify toll roads ahead of time. This helps in managing your travel budget and expectations. We use RV Parky, which is a RV Park directory built by a full time RV'er with the help of the RV community to help fellow RV'ers on the road. Here you can find information, images, and reviews for the most complete collection of RV Parks and campgrounds in the United States and Canada.

We hope that you are enjoying the final days of summer and staying safe on the road.

Let us know in the comments if you use EZ when traveling.

Thank you for following our journey, and remember, we share our daily adventures over on our Facebook Page  and provide long form videos of the places we stay over on our YouTube channel.

Until next time,

Kirsten & Mack