Toll Roads Hershey PA to Bar Harbor ME

[KyDan]

We're heading NE from Hershey PA to Plymouth MA to Bar Harbor ME.
Looks like a shopping list of Interstate!
I 78 I 287 I 95

Google maps says "this route has tolls" but doesn't say where they are.
Is there a way to get google to identify toll roads??

Should I get some sort of pay pass ahead of time???
Never done any more than just pay the man at the toll plaza.
Is there significant savings to get a pass??

Pulling a trailer behind a pickup. 4 axles altogether if that matters.

Thanks for your help! We've never been to this part of the US before!

[nomad297]

Get an E-ZPass now. I recommend you get one from the PA Turnpike Authority. It doesn't matter that you are in KY -- you can still buy and use the PA pass anywhere. The reason I use the PA pass is that you only need one pass whether your towing or not and you can assign numerous vehicles and trailers to the one pass. Some states require different passes for trailering, different vehicles, etc. The PA E-ZPass is simple and hassle-free. Here is their website:

https://www.paturnpike.com/tolls/tolls.aspx

Bruce

[dblr]

As recommended get the EZ Pass, there will be tolls on 287 at the Tappan Zee bridge then also tolls on 95 between NH & Maine plus if you use the New York thruway or even the Ma pike both have tolls. The EZ Pass will speed things up getting thru the toll booths once you can get to the EZ Pass only lanes

[Jim34RL]

Illinois I- pass works the same way with every toll road that I have been on lately. I went out east last your to PA, NY, MA, CT, RI, and Maine. I used the IL I-pass and I had automatic replenishment of the dollar amount turn on for the I-pass. This way did not have to worry about tolls, drove right thru the trucking lanes with ease. The I pass works for both your trailer and the TV this is also tied to my wife's car we just switch this between vehicles.

[n-e-d]

Ditto on Ezpass thru Mass, New Hampshire and Maine it ll make your life and travels easier. Depending on when you hit them toll plazas in New Hampshire and lower part of Maine can be busy

[KyDan]

The website says-- E-ZPass is available at the PTC E-ZPass Customer Service Center, at 7631 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111, select retail locations, participating Pennsylvania AAA offices, and PA Turnpike Tag Teller vending machines.

Do "select retail locations"
include truck stops??? In other words I need one ASAP.
Suggestions on where to snag one?? Also should I set up an account online now and then just buy the transponder (at a truck stop) and tie it to my account and I'm set to go??

Also- any suggestions on how much $$$ to load it with?? Guess I can set
a low threshold and it will automatically reload when needed??

Sorry to be such a dummy but this is all new to me....

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by KyDan

The website says-- E-ZPass is available at the PTC E-ZPass Customer Service Center, at 7631 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111, select retail locations, participating Pennsylvania AAA offices, and PA Turnpike Tag Teller vending machines.

Do "select retail locations"
include truck stops??? In other words I need one ASAP.
Suggestions on where to snag one?? Also should I set up an account online now and then just buy the transponder (at a truck stop) and tie it to my account and I'm set to go??

Also- any suggestions on how much $$$ to load it with?? Guess I can set
a low threshold and it will automatically reload when needed??

Sorry to be such a dummy but this is all new to me....

I would just call the E-ZPass people on Tuesday and see if they can set you up on the phone and Mail the transponder to you. Or, you can do like I did and buy one from a vending machine at a rest area on the PA Turnpike.

Bruce

[Ford Idaho]

COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE Contact: Renee Vid Colborn
Phone: 717.939.9551
E-mail:rcolborn@paturnpike.com February 13, 2013
Pa. Turnpike Makes E-ZPass Easier to Get at Select Walmarts

E-ZPass 'GoPaks' are available at more than 60 Walmart stores in Pa. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced today that Walmart is the newest retailer in the state to offer E-ZPass transponder sales. Turnpike travelers can now walk into 63 Walmart locations in central, southeastern and northeastern Pennsylvania to buy an E-ZPass GoPak at the customer-service counter in the front of the store.

E-ZPass is not only easier and more convenient than paying with cash, it’s also less expensive. In fact, E-ZPass customers pay 25 percent less in Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls, on average, than those who pay cash.

“For more than 50 years Walmart has been recognized as a leader in the retail industry, and we are proud to partner with them to make it easier for Pennsylvania Turnpike customers to enroll in E-ZPass,” said William J. Capone, Chief of Communications and Public Relations for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. “With the addition of Walmart stores, there are now more than 300 Pennsylvania retail locations where customers can pick up an E-ZPass transponder.”

The E-ZPass GoPak allows Turnpike travelers to obtain an E-ZPass transponder that can be used right away on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and toll roads, bridges and tunnels in 15 other states (including all neighboring states).

“Walmart strives to help customers save money so they can live better,” said William C. Wertz, Walmart’s Director of Communications - East. “Adding E-ZPass sales to our stores is one more way that Walmart is working to provide our customers with a valuable, convenient shopping experience.”

Customers who purchase a GoPak at Walmart must register their E-ZPass within 72 hours of picking it up at www.paturnpike.com/ezpass or by calling, toll-free, 877-736-6727.

It costs $41 to purchase an E-ZPass at Walmart if using a credit or debit card to set up an auto-replenishment account; the cost includes a $35 toll balance and a $3 annual fee. Plus, Walmart has a one-time convenience charge of $3.

The transponder is usually mounted inside the vehicle on the windshield; it sends a signal to an overhead reader in the toll lane to classify the vehicle and deduct the appropriate toll from a pre-paid account. With auto replenishment, the account is refilled with $35 when the balance dips below $10. Transponders can be moved between vehicles.

Since the E-ZPass retail program started in 2007, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has sold more than 300,000 E-ZPass transponders at retailers including AAA, Acme, Giant Eagle, GetGo, Wegmans and Karns Foods.

A complete list of all E-ZPass retail locations in Pennsylvania is available at the Turnpike web site, www.paturnpike.com.

https://www.paturnpike.com/press/201...0213121407.htm

www.paturnpike.com.

[nomad297]

Good info Ford Idaho!

Bruce

[Ford Idaho]

I am now about to lay out the route for a trip 3 years from now which I am sure I will need to retune later.

Plan is to avoid toll roads and see the sights, I have no problem with two lane HWY's or slower speeds.

Hills and tunnels are not an issue so this is the way I am laying things out.

On a side note I see where PA turnpike had a 75th anniversary, does it really take that long to pay for a road?

Are the tax's on fuel not enough?

Inflated maintenance costs?

Never ending delays due to lazy paid by the hour people who are and have been feeding on a never ending supply of money?

Reminds me of a sand flea....

[rracer5]

Hey Dan, I can tell you about a few tolls (depending on the route you decide on) that I know of between Hershey and CT. Interstates 76, 95, 87, 90 are toll roads. Eastbound river crossings (Delaware River on I78, I80 & Hudson River I84,) are toll free (they'll get you on the way back westbound). Except Tappan Zee (I87/287) & NYC crossings, I think they're the other way around.

If it were me, I would take US 15 north to I81 (Harrisburg) north to I84 (Scranton) east all the way into Mass. (then pick your route to Plymouth, unsure of tolls out there). Less tolls and cheaper to cross rivers

A variation of that route is I81 to I78 into N.J. then I287 north to I87 (toll) (N.Y, N.J border) north to I84 (Newburgh, NY) east. (Less mountainous travel)

If you travel the toll roads, they'll either get you periodically or when you get on or off an exit (NY).

Many ways to get there some with a some without (many) tolls.

[gary ca]

Very good topic, I learned a lot. Planning to make that trip from So CA. Thanks Gary

[A32Deuce]

Pa. has a new law. Tolls in Pa pay for highways through out Pa. They prob. paid for the TP 100 times by now. Note, if at all possible use Tappinzee to NY rather than Goerge Washington Bridge. Three times the toll to cross GW than Tapp. brdg.

[Rick_Geneseo]

I have 2 ipass/ezpass. A white one when I have just the truck (white) and one for when I have the 5ver on. Significant toll difference. For example $1.80 with the truck, and truck/trailer is $6.50. We can get basic ipass at jewel/osco here in Illinois. The combo has to be mailed or picked up at an designated toll stop.

[kluza2786]

KyDan - Enjoy Bar Harbor; it's a beautiful place. If you're taking a dog with you, you'll find it to be a VERY dog-friendly place. Many of the stores have water bowls outside, restaurants with outside seating allow you to bring your dog in with you, even found a cruise that allows well-behaved dogs.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Rick_Geneseo

I have 2 ipass/ezpass. A white one when I have just the truck (white) and one for when I have the 5ver on. Significant toll difference. For example $1.80 with the truck, and truck/trailer is $6.50. We can get basic ipass at jewel/osco here in Illinois. The combo has to be mailed or picked up at an designated toll stop.

This is the problem with many other states' E-ZPasses -- you need at least two. Get the PA Turnpike EZ-Pass, stick it on your windshield, forget about it and you will get charged the correct toll no matter how many axles you have or how much you weigh. I have never been charged incorrectly.

Bruce

[doc73]

I cannot talk about the tolls beyond PA because I do jot know but x100 on the PA ezpass. We have had two (one for each car ) for 10 years, same ones. They work great, refill as needed and safe time. My mother, who feared the Cia would track her refused to get one. We met up with them on 95 in southern DE along the road. We got home 2 hours before they did because we would use the high speed lanes and they needed to stop and pay! That made it all worth it.

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[NorSnrub]

My GPS has for rvs has an avoid toll roads option. When I turn it on that option I never know which way it will take me.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by NorSnrub

My GPS has for rvs has an avoid toll roads option. When I turn it on that option I never know which way it will take me.

To me that is just a part of the journey!

90 % of the roads I have been on in the last two years I have not been on before.

[Jim in Halifax]

I have traveled from Allentown, PA (Hershey) to Portland ,Ma Via Hartford CT and tolls are no more than $10.00..............J