Maryland travel gets expensive

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by Disneysue925

Hi,

Could you let this novice know about this " western" route, please? We frequently drive from the Wilmington, DE area to Virginia and Florida. I never paid too much attention to the tolls because they really weren't that much for a car. I know routes to avoid the ridiculous toll at the Delaware border but don't know how to avoid the ones further south.

Your help is appreciated,
Sue

Since you a fellow streamer I will let you in on my route south. US 301 all the way down to richmond, Va. Or run us 301/50 tp I95 in DC. and no tolls. Sal.

[Disneysue925]

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.

Thanks! I'm heading to Florida next month--without the Airstream so I'll give it a try.

Sue

[Disneysue925]

Originally Posted by noreen

Since you a fellow streamer I will let you in on my route south. US 301 all the way down to richmond, Va. Or run us 301/50 tp I95 in DC. and no tolls. Sal.

Thanks Sal! This avoids the annoying--and expensive--series of tolls from the DE line thru Baltimore. And no tunnel restrictions!

Sue

[dstalzer]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

A few years ago we were traveling west through Houston and I-10 and there were signs that I-10 now had a toll on it and no trailers allowed. This had been done so recently it was not on the map. We had to scramble to find a way west and it took us an extra hour to get through the area. Texas had apparently decided to ask the federal gov't to allow a toll on an interstate where there had never been one and the gov't (a Texan was president when the request came) allowed it. I don't know what the status of the no trailer rule is, but we won't be going anywhere near Houston again.

Gene

Gene,

I believe the no trailer restriction on I-10 in Houston is really only for the inside lane which is a toll lane.

Dennis

[HowieE]

I pulled through Huston on I 10 4 weeks ago and yes the restriction is only for the commuter toll lane.

As far as avoiding toll south bound from Jersey using route 301, 50 and I 195, yes you will not pay a toll in Maryland but you will be subject to Washington DC traffic. You will pay the toll to get out of Jeresy. Keep in mind that toll will be at commercial rates if you use E Z Pass. However using the same route in returning you will pay the toll on the bridge at Annapolis.

They will get you going or coming.

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by HowieE

I pulled through Huston on I 10 4 weeks ago and yes the restriction is only for the commuter toll lane.

As far as avoiding toll south bound from Jersey using route 301, 50 and I 195, yes you will not pay a toll in Maryland but you will be subject to Washington DC traffic. You will pay the toll to get out of Jeresy. Keep in mind that toll will be at commercial rates if you use E Z Pass. However using the same route in returning you will pay the toll on the bridge at Annapolis.

They will get you going or coming.

If Im going south, I try to run DC on a weekend. If not, I jump off 50 at Bowie and continue down 301. There is a toll southbound, but its worth it to miss the DC traffic. Sal.

[HowieE]

I had e mailed Maryland and asked if they had intended to charge recreational vehicles at the same rates as commercial rigs. This is their reply.

Dear Mr. E

Thank you for your email and for contacting the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA). Financed solely by toll revenue, the MDTA is an independent State agency that finances, owns, operates and maintains the State's eight toll facilities.

We appreciate your interest in our facilities. Tolls are based on a vehicle or vehicle-combination's number of axles. There is no distinction between the type of multi-axle vehicle. Current toll rates are available at mdta.maryland.gov.

Thank you again for your email, and please let us know if we may assist you further.
Kerry B
Division of Communications

After 9/11 the Governor of Maryland removed the toll for a short period of time to get people back on the road. I happened to have been traveling at that time and did in fact have a free ride. How if I remember right the following trip, month later, they a doubled the toll from $6.00 to $12.00. They have again doubled the rates. I think that one week of free riding has long since been paid for.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by dstalzer

Gene,

I believe the no trailer restriction on I-10 in Houston is really only for the inside lane which is a toll lane.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis and Howie. When we saw the electric signs a couple of years ago we either misread them—unlikely since there were at least 2 of them—or they were unclear what was ahead. I checked on this on the internet after we got to our destination that day and what I saw there seemed to affirm what we had read. I guess we can go to Houston, but I'm staying away from those tolls in the northeast and midwest.

Gene

[Frank's Trailer Works]

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

[Frank's Trailer Works]

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

[Frank's Trailer Works]

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&sal]

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.

[Gene]

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