Open Road Tolling

The PA Turnpike is converting to Open Road Tolling (ORT). It is a safer, more convenient, and more affordable way for our customers to travel.

What is ORT?

Open Road Tolling is a cashless, free-flowing mode of collecting tolls without traditional toll plazas or tollbooths.

In the ORT system, tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds beneath overhead structures, called gantries, without slowing down or stopping at toll booths. Equipment on the gantry and in the roadway classifies and identifies the vehicle and electronically processes tolls, allowing for free-flowing traffic, which reduces accidents, improves the environment, and allows new access points.

Learn how our open road toll zone construction sequence works.

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More in Open Road Tolling

PENNA TURNPIKE - Open Road Tolling - Calculating Your Toll

Understanding New Statements & Invoices

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The Start of ORT on The PA Turnpike

Open Road Tolling is the culmination of the PA Turnpike's decade-long journey to modernize operations on our 565 miles of roadway.

The PA Turnpike welcomed the dawn of a new era as we officially launched Open Road Tolling on the mainline PA Turnpike east of Reading and the entire Northeast Extension on January 5, 2025. It will launch statewide in January 2027.

See the Transformation:
Before and After

Explore how our Open Road Tolling (ORT) project has taken shape, transforming the PA Turnpike for the future. These interactive images allow you to slide between before and after views, showcasing the progress and results starting with the original toll plaza structure to our modern gantry in the new era with ORT.

Bensalem

Fort Washington

Virginia Dr

Willow Grove

Mid-County

Norristown

Street Road

Route 903

Downingtown

Morgantown

SR29

Valley Forge

Clarks Summit

Keyser Ave

Lansdale

Lehigh Valley

Mahoning Valley

Pocono

Quakertown

Wilkes-Barre

Wyoming Valley

How The Technology Behind ORT Works

ORT systems have been operating across the U.S. and around the globe for more than 20 years. They rely on innovations in technology to identify and classify each vehicle as it passes beneath the gantry.

A Closer Look:

Vehicles are classified to determine the appropriate toll rate. Specialized sensors are mounted overhead to the gantry and embedded in the pavement to determine a vehicle’s height and number of axles. Sensors called vehicle separators distinguish one vehicle from others nearby. In the ORT system, weight will no longer be used to classify vehicles.
E-ZPass readers (antennae) collect vehicle information from a transponder device for those who have set up a prepaid account. Most PA Turnpike travelers — about 86% — choose this payment method, which offers the lowest rates.

If an E-ZPass transponder is not detected, overhead cameras that have already captured a series of high-definition images of a vehicle’s license plate will check the E-ZPass system to see if the license plate is tied to an E-ZPass. If one is found, payment will be deducted from the user’s account at the E-ZPass price. Otherwise, a Toll By Plate invoice is generated and mailed to the registered owner. Due to the costs of processing a toll this way, rates for Toll By Plate customers are higher.
All data collected at the gantry is transferred via a broadband, fiber optic network now being built to the Turnpike’s Customer Service Center, located in Harrisburg, for verification, processing, and payment. All data is secured and not shared.

Discover the essentials of ORT with our easy-to-read guides.

Top Ten Things to Know About ORT
Link to PDF
Top Ten Things to Know About ORT (Spanish Version)
Link to PDF
Top 10 Things Commercial Drivers Need to Know About ORT
Link to PDF
Top 10 Things Commercial Drivers Need to Know About ORT (Spanish Version)
Link to PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Turnpike ensure everyone pays?

Apr 13, 2023, 15:14 PM

Question : How does the Turnpike ensure everyone pays?

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By far, toll dollars comprise the most significant revenue source for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; in fact, the PA Turnpike receives zero tax dollars for the operation and maintenance of its 564-mile highway system. When it comes to collection of tolls, the PA Turnpike takes a multi-pronged approach. We do all we can to ensure everyone pays. It’s good business and fair play. Most Turnpike customers — around 85% — use E-ZPass which requires a prepaid account. Most Toll By Plate customers also pay invoices on time. The Turnpike is serious about everyone paying their fair share and chases after those who don’t.

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FAQ - ORT
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More Tolling Resources

PA Toll Pay App

Want to make managing your E-ZPass account even easier? Download our app!

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Using E-ZPass Out of State

The E-ZPass network currently includes more than 16 states.

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