Toll Charges

[jarretth]

Suggestion for the moderators here.

In the driving directions it mentions toll roads but doesn't say how much. As Redkop is currently away, could this be updated on return to give people an idea of current toll costs.

I always keep a bag of quarters around for trips to Florida so I don't get caught without on arrival. For example, there is an unmanned toll booth on the Greenway when you head to WDW and I was caught out when I didn't have any change. I ended up walking down the line of traffic I was holding up until I found someone with spare change.

If people don't have quarters they should go to one of the airport shops on the way through arrivals, buy something small and ask for a lot of the change in quarters - they are usually fine with this.

[Redkop]

hi

we came down the 417 yesterday from Sanford to I-Drive exit and it cost us $4.50, there is always a green toll both you should use as they will have change for you :thumbs:

[OKWTink]

Please, PLEASE don't ever get out of your car and ask for change from the other cars behind you. There was someone who did that a few years ago and was shot to death. I hate to be Gloomy Gus, but never, ever do that, ok?

If you are caught out without the change and there is no place at the toll booth to get it, just drive through. There is nothing else you can do.

Keeping a roll of quarters, or at least ten dollars in quarters, for tolls is a good idea. There are other toll roads besides those to and from the airport that you may find yourself on.

It's good to have updated information, but they do change the tolls from time to time, so keep that in mind too!

[jon_burrows]

If you are caught out without the change and there is no place at the toll booth to get it, just drive through. There is nothing else you can do

Good advice Tink I did this last year and fully expected to be issued a fine on returning the rental car but nothing was said. I heard later that fines are only issued to repeat offenders.

[OKWTink]

Yes, I'm not advocating breaking the law by any means, but trust me-I find your life more important that a fifty cent toll! :eek:

I'm not sure if it is true, but local folks say that you won't be "prosecuted" for "running" a toll booth unless you've done it more than twice (I've heard three times too). The booth sets off a terrible sounding alarm and a photo is taken of the car/plate so there is a recording of it.

Again, best to have plenty of change on hand, but never get out of the car to ask someone for it.

[jarretth]

Good advice Tink I did this last year and fully expected to be issued a fine on returning the rental car but nothing was said. I heard later that fines are only issued to repeat offenders.

At the time I was concerned by the signs warning about fines for evading tolls and the car hire warnings about excessive admin charges for fines incurred.

Tink - thanks for the concern. I was comfortable with the people I asked as they were all family groups - I wouldn't have asked people I was unsure of.

As I said at the start, I think this is something to highlight for first time visitors. In the UK there are very few tolls and those that are around always have a manned booth so not having change isn't an issue. Very few places in the UK will sell you US coins - many people probably get to their first toll booth with their smallest bit of money being a $20 bill.

[Redkop]

we saw people at every toll booth that where manned for change, if there wasnt anyone there i would go throught the fast pass and let the rental company know

[renkadima]

I too was caught out at an unmanned toll booth on an early visit to Florida. On that occasion, I was fortunate that the car that pulled up behind us was driven by Brits who paid the toll for us. Up to that point, it really was a case of 'panic stations'.

However, if you go to the US192 site linked via the 'Airport Directions from MCO and Sanford to Disney' thread at the top of the page, you will find a link (hidden amongst the directions, but at those points in the text relating to passing through toll booths) that explains what to do in such an eventuality.

I wish I had read it all those years ago - I might not have arrived at the villa a nervous wreck :wacko: :hehe: