How to Avoid Maryland’s E-ZPass Monthly Fee
Recently, Maryland started charging a monthly “maintenance” fee to hold an E-ZPass of $1.50/month. I know, $1.50 per month isn’t that much, but consider this fee for the commuter who rarely even uses the E-ZPass. For a total of $18 year, many E-ZPass holders find themselves barely even paying $18 in actual tolls for the entire year.
So how do you avoid paying the monthly E-ZPass fee? First remember that an E-ZPass is pretty much good in every state and every toll location. Therefore, if you received your E-ZPass in Maryland, you can use it in New York or Chicago. This is important because some of these states do not charge their users a monthly fee. Second, it’s important to find out what states allow out of state customers to purchase an E-ZPass from them. Some states will refer you to your resident state when you try to purchase a pass from them.
Everyone can thank the Hoosier state, because as it currently stands, Indiana does allow out of state customers to purchase an E-ZPass AND they do not charge a monthly fee. Even better, Indiana doesn’t charge you for the pass itself, just $7 shipping and handling (Maryland for example charges $21 for the pass alone).
So, if your tired of paying Maryland’s monthly fee because you barely even use your E-ZPass, then consider getting an account with Indiana or any other state that allows it.
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Comments
I got my E-ZPass from Delaware. The DelDOT program does not have any monthly or annual account maintenance fees. Normally DelDOT charges $25.00 up front for each transponder, however right now through December 31 they are waiving the transponder fee. Even with the $25.00 fee up front, the Delaware program is still a better deal than Maryland. One thing to remember when opening an E-ZPass account with DelDOT, when you get to the page that asks you to “choose your state” always choose “Delaware” to avoid being redirected back to your home state’s agency. Don’t worry after getting past the redirect, you will get to real sign up page where you can enter your correct address and license plate information. This also holds true for avoiding the redirect on the websites of other E-ZPass agencies such ass Massachusetts and New York.
Is the fee same using Delaware EZpass in maryland verses people who use Maryland EZpass?
MASSACHUSETTS offers their pass for free AND with FREE SHIPPING! PLUS: it’s pre-paid so you don’t have to worry about how much is left on your debit card or credit card limit (the yellow light on the toll lane will let you know when you have to add more to your pre-paid balance)!
They also ship “out of state”. I got mine and I live in FLORIDA but travel the east coast tolls all the way to Boston frequently.
Enjoy!
PS:
http://www.mass.gov/fastlane
their program is called “FastLane” but it’s 100% E-Z Pass compatible (through the interagency cooperation program).