Dallas and Houston tolls

[HumblePie]

Lived in Houston for several years previously and avoided all toll roads. I think I had to use them 3 times and just paid through the booths that were there. Never saw any toll roads that didn't have a booth, either manned or computer operated, where you could pay.

So glad where I live nearby now is the last major city holdout that is adamant about not allowing tolls despite the enormous outside pressure to do so.

 

[squarecut1]

Tolls are a robbery, especially considering these toll roads are still parking lots during busy hours

 

[poofyhairguy]

Tolls are a robbery, especially considering these toll roads are still parking lots during busy hours

Not in my area. I use the Austin tolls whenever I can because even during rush hour there are no cars because the local hippies are morally opposed (aka too broke) to use them.

 

[smackababy]

Not in my area. I use the Austin tolls whenever I can because even during rush hour there are no cars because the local hippies are morally opposed (aka too broke) to use them.

What toll roads besides loop 1 are there?


Btw, loop 1 isn't a fucking loop and it pisses me off every time I see the name!

Edit: Just googled it and it looks like everything except 35 is a fucking toll road now! Even parts of 290! Wtf? How are you supposed to even get anywhere without one?

 

[poofyhairguy]

What toll roads besides loop 1 are there?

In Austin there are four:

183A (I drive this one daily)
45
130
290
and soon to be opened a toll lane on 1 (MOPAC)

Its really nice that now I can get from my house in Leander all the way down to San Antonio without touching the evil that is Interstate 35.

 

[smackababy]

35 is terrible, has always been terrible, and will continue to be terrible for the remaining of days.

 

[HumblePie]

I commute on 35 daily. Of course I'm counter flow so I don't ever get bothered by traffic on it

 

[poofyhairguy]

I pay over $200 a month in tolls, and its worth it.

 

[gorb]

I commute on 35 daily. Of course I'm counter flow so I don't ever get bothered by traffic on it

I also commute on 35W here in fort worth. A study in 2012 had it as the most congested road in the state. That was before all the construction started. It doesn't appear to be the most congested anymore, but it is still very bad

http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/100-congested-roadways.html
http://fortworthtexas.gov/citynews/default.aspx?id=129228

Construction won't be completed until 2018 They aren't even adding any additional free lanes. Just reconstructing existing freeways and adding toll roads in the middle.

 

[MrPickins]

In Austin there are four:

183A (I drive this one daily)
45
130
290
and soon to be opened a toll lane on 1 (MOPAC)

Its really nice that now I can get from my house in Leander all the way down to San Antonio without touching the evil that is Interstate 35.

I love 130.

Speed limit of 85 makes it much faster to get to our land southeast of San Antonio.

Worth the few bucks, IMO.

 

[marvdmartian]

Depends on what state you are from. I believe that in the last few years they have started sharing license plate info with some states and sending out bills. I do not think they do this with all states yet, but they are storing the info for future billing. I have had toll bills show up from over a year ago for less then $2, so they will send them if they have your info, and that is with having a toll account. Also, they certainly don't mind tacking on large late fees for past due bills. If you are really worried about it, you should be able to call up the toll company and pay it over the phone.

Well, that ought to be popular, with future buyers of used cars!

 

[rednas]

I have lived in houston for over a year and I still have not paid a toll. I must be doing it wrong.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Been using DNT and SRT occasionally (couple of times a year) on IA tags without being billed for the past 3 years.

35 is terrible, has always been terrible, and will continue to be terrible for the remaining of days.

635 ain't much better :|

Tolls are a robbery, especially considering these toll roads are still parking lots during busy hours

DNT is a joke during rush hour. Going on Preston is actually faster!

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I pay over $200 a month in tolls, and its worth it.

You make enough for $2,400+ in after tax dollars being tossed in the trash being worth it every year?

Yeah, you're nuts man, I hope you're making $250,000+ to be saying that.



I live in Houston, avoid any and all tolls unless it's a random weekend visit around town that it is needed. Plus I take the bus in to work. Not worth the car maintenance alone (not to mention gas) to drive in.

 

[Brainonska511]

I can't speak for Texas, but in Illinois, you can go to a website to pay if you miss a toll due to an unmanned booth, you just have to pay it off within 7-10 days of missing it and you'll pay no penalty. I'm surprised TX doesn't have something similar.

 

[minendo]

I can't speak for Texas, but in Illinois, you can go to a website to pay if you miss a toll due to an unmanned booth, you just have to pay it off within 7-10 days of missing it and you'll pay no penalty. I'm surprised TX doesn't have something similar.

Texas does have this. Signs are posted especially around Austin area.

 

[minendo]

I pay over $200 a month in tolls, and its worth it.

Back in March/April when I lived in the Spring area I was averaging this just on the Hardy Tollroad to get to 610. Now that I have moved to MO City closer to work I rarely have to use toll roads, but I still do because they are worth it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

You make enough for $2,400+ in after tax dollars being tossed in the trash being worth it every year?

Tossed in the trash? No way. Its all about opportunity cost.

The real question is: Can I get a house as nice as mine closer to my work (aka to the point where I don't need the tolls) for an extra $200 bucks on my mortgage each month?

I checked and the answer is no.

In fact, because the taxes are worse closer to my work $50 of that $200 dollars wouldn't even go to a mortgage but instead would go to the city/school district. I certainly can't get a similar house closer for $150 more a month, more like four or five times that.

So for me the toll roads are a cheaper option because I don't make $250,000+ a year to buy a house wherever I want.