Save Money on Your Next U.S. Car Rental: Use E-ZPass

Overview

Don’t Get Gouged by Your Car Rental Company

When driving a rental car on toll roads, you’ll always end up covering the cost one way or another – and usually your car rental company comes out ahead by charging additional fees. Without your own E-ZPass, you are playing into the hands of your car rental company. Rental companies typically charge a daily fee for using their toll pass on top of the actual toll amounts. Alternatively, driving through toll plazas without paying leads to hefty penalties that will be passed on to you (generally, along with a fee from your rental company). Pay as you go toll booths are rapidly disappearing and are being replaced by electronic tolling systems, making cash payment inconvenient and sometimes impossible.

Electronic Toll Collection: The New Normal

Electronic toll collection systems operate in various regions across the U.S. The largest consortium, E-ZPass, covers a vast territory from Illinois to Florida and up to Maine, encompassing the Northeast, most of the Southeast coast, and significant portions of the Great Lakes region.

The E-ZPass transponder is typically a portable plastic device attached to the windshield with Velcro, making it easy to transfer between vehicles.

Other toll authorities operate their own systems in different regions. When using your E-ZPass, tolls are automatically billed to your account. As an added benefit, you’ll often receive discounted rates for electronic payments, which aren’t available when using the rental company’s pass that charges the higher standard rate plus additional fees.

How to Use E-ZPass in a Rental Vehicle

When renting a car in regions with electronic tolling, you’ll often find the vehicle already equipped with a transponder mounted on the windshield. These are typically housed in lead-lined boxes that can be opened or closed. To use your E-ZPass instead:

1. Ensure the rental car’s transponder box is closed
2. Hold your E-ZPass up to the windshield when approaching toll plazas
3. Proceed through Express or E-ZPass Only lanes as you normally would

While technically you should add the rental car’s licence plate to your transponder account, in our experience this isn’t always necessary. Simply hold your E-ZPass firmly against the centre of the windshield when passing through toll areas. If the toll plaza fails to read your E-ZPass for any reason, it will bill the rental company, which will then charge you.

Getting Your Own E-ZPass

Don’t have an E-ZPass? Getting one is straightforward and often inexpensive:

Transponder Type	Initial Cost	Coverage Area	Special Features
Massachusetts E-ZPass	Free (credited to account)	E-ZPass network	No monthly fee
North Carolina Quick Pass	Small fee	Most tolls east of Mississippi	Works with E-ZPass and Florida SunPass

For travellers who frequently rent vehicles, purchasing your own transponder offers significant savings over time. The Massachusetts E-ZPass is particularly economical as there’s no monthly fee, and the cost of the transponder is credited to your account for toll usage.

The North Carolina Quick Pass, while requiring a modest initial investment, provides excellent flexibility for travellers, functioning with virtually all electronic toll systems east of the Mississippi River, including both the E-ZPass network and Florida’s SunPass system.

By bringing your own E-ZPass, you’ll avoid the rental companies’ excessive daily fees while still enjoying the convenience of electronic toll collection during your travels.

How Canadians Can Get an E-ZPass

Canadians travelling to the United States can indeed obtain an E-ZPass for toll roads, which proves especially useful when driving rental vehicles. Canadian residents qualify for E-ZPass accounts through several states that offer them to non-US citizens.

The easiest option for most Canadians is to purchase an E-ZPass through states that don’t require American residency. New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire are among the states that allow Canadian residents to register for an E-ZPass with a Canadian address and credit card.

To apply, Canadians need to:

1. Visit the E-ZPass website for the preferred state
2. Complete the online application form
3. Provide valid identification
4. Supply a Canadian credit card for payment
5. List their Canadian postal address

E-ZPass credits do not expire in most states, though account maintenance fees may apply if the transponder goes unused for extended periods. We recommend that you check the specific state’s policy regarding dormant accounts.

New York and Florida have particularly extensive toll networks that Canadian travellers frequently use. Florida’s SunPass system is compatible with E-ZPass, making it convenient for Canadians who winter in Florida. The northeast corridor’s E-ZPass network is the most comprehensive, covering 19 states from Maine to Florida and as far west as Illinois.

Using E-ZPass with Rental Vehicles

When renting a car, Canadians have several options for using their E-ZPass:

Option	Pros	Cons
Bring personal E-ZPass	No extra fees from rental agency	May need to register rental car on account
Use rental company’s transponder	Convenience	Higher daily fees plus toll charges
Pay by plate	No transponder needed	Higher administrative fees

If a rental agency objects to using a personal E-ZPass, politely explain that it’s permitted by E-ZPass terms. Most agencies will acknowledge this right, but it’s wise to document the conversation. Alternatively, temporarily register the rental vehicle on the E-ZPass account through the mobile app or website.

The Thrifty Recommendation

Mr. Thrifty has owned an E-ZPass for years and the cost savings have been significant. With the rapid shift to electronic tolling systems any Canadian who travels by car in the United States should consider getting an E-ZPass and joining the many Canadian travelers who find using their own E-ZPass more cost-effective than paying rental agency toll services.