Maryland travel gets expensive

[62overlander]

Originally Posted by Skater

As you're approaching Baltimore on I-95, you have several options for getting by the city:
1. I-95, with the Fort McHenry tunnel (toll, plus Baltimore doesn't want propane tanks in their tunnels);
2. I-895, with the Harbor Tunnel (also toll, no propane)
3. I-695 around the east side of the city via the Key Bridge (toll, also subject to high wind sometimes)
4. I-695 around the west side of the city (free, but more traffic)

If you're heading south, the cheapest route would be to take I-695 west and then hop on I-95 south again - it's very well marked.

In actuality, you can take propane through the tunnels without any issue. The restriction is tanks larger than 30 pounds each.

[wolf146]

62overlander, what is a video toll? I have a NJ e-zpass - I think I would be better off paying in cash instead of using NJ ez pass. Am I right?? wolf146

[62overlander]

I don't know. What is a video toll? never heard of one.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

In actuality, you can take propane through the tunnels without any issue. The restriction is tanks larger than 30 pounds each.

AAARRRGGGHHHHHH! I was one exit away from that tunnel while towing the Argosy, saw the no propane sign, and then turned around for a very long detour. Live and learn, I guess.

Tom

[62overlander]

same confusing sign on the PA turnpike for the Alleghany Tunnel.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

In actuality, you can take propane through the tunnels without any issue. The restriction is tanks larger than 30 pounds each.

I hadn't heard this, thanks, and it's pretty annoying that the signs basically show NO propane tanks. According to this page it's up to 10 lbs per container with a max of 10 containers. What a PITA.

I admit I took the B190 through it a couple times before someone else on AIR Forums mentioned the restriction. After that, I noticed the propane signs (I had seen them before but it didn't really register - probably an artifact of driving through many times in a car before getting the camper).

Someone on here said Baltimore had a serious propane-related accident years ago that prompted that restriction, but didn't give any more details, and I wasn't able to find any info on the net about it. If you or anyone else has info on it, I'm interested to hear it.

[noreen]

Back in the 70s If I can remember the Harbor Tunnel cost around $2. for an 18 wheeler. It was too much so we go thru the city around the Inner Harbor and got to enjoy some scenery. Sal.

[Landshark]

Thanks so much to all of you for validating (as if it needed validating) our move to Idaho 35 yrs ago! I remember those Ct tolls: maddening. And all the other tolls up and down the coasts and in Fla. So glad to be in the mountain West and not have any of those issues! Thanks y'all!!

Vivian

[wolf146]

On the Maryland Toll website they mention "video toll" rates. I can't find an explanation on line as to what this is. wolf146

[mistral blue]

Originally Posted by wolf146

62overlander, what is a video toll? I have a NJ e-zpass - I think I would be better off paying in cash instead of using NJ ez pass. Am I right?? wolf146

Originally Posted by 62overlander

I don't know. What is a video toll? never heard of one.

Originally Posted by wolf146

On the Maryland Toll website they mention "video toll" rates. I can't find an explanation on line as to what this is. wolf146

From the MDTA:

What is a Video Toll? What is the Video Toll Rate?
a. Effective November 1, 2011, a Video Toll Rate is charged when a vehicle passes through a Maryland toll facility without paying cash (not applicable to the ICC) or without having a valid E-ZPass transponder/account. Using a video image of the vehicle’s license plate, a Notice of Toll Due is mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner for payment. Video Toll Rates replace the $3 Notice of Toll Due fee.
b. An E-ZPass customer could be charged the Video Toll Rate if the tolling equipment does not read the transponder, and the toll cannot be posted to the E-ZPass account because the vehicle’s license plate is not listed on the account.
c. Video Toll Rates are 150% of the cash/base rates at Maryland toll facilities. There is a minimum video surcharge of $1 and a maximum of $15.

[CrawfordGene]

So, this may be a stupid question, but can you still pay cash? Have they eliminated toll booths?

Gene

[Disneysue925]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

So, this may be a stupid question, but can you still pay cash? Have they eliminated toll booths?

Gene

Hi Gene,

Yes, you can stil pay cash--it's just slower that way. Here on the toll plagued east coast we loves us our E Z Passes!

Sue

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

So, this may be a stupid question, but can you still pay cash? Have they eliminated toll booths?

Gene

I had not heard of this "video" toll rate concept either. I was speaking to a friend about it just today who had recently been on a "video" toll rate freeway in Florida in the fall of last year. There was no opportunity to pay the toll to a live person on the toll-way he was on. The only two options were the electronic card or the video toll.

You gotta luv gub'ment. Now they've figured out yet another way to tax you without the need for a human being to make any kind of effort what-so-ever. But i digress.......

Jim

On edit: Do not try this on the toll-ways in Georgia. They will simply mail you a very expensive ticket that will follow you to the grave if you don't pay it.

[dstalzer]

In Austin, there are toll roads and some of the toll stations have no way to pay cash so they either pick up your toll transponder or will send a bill based on your license plate on the back of your vehicle. If you have the toll pass (transponder) you get a discount. I try to avoid the toll roads, but one day at 5:00 pm I did not want to get caught up in the Austin gridlock on I-35 so I took the toll road to get home pulling my Airstream. My transponder did not get detected and they sent me a bill with a transaction fee because they picked up the trailer plate which was not registered with my toll tag. After calling them, they decided to take the fee off and billed me for the discounted rate. The bill was still high due to being charged the same rate as an 18 wheeler. I will avoid the toll road unless absolutely necessary.

Dennis