How Rental Car Companies Charge You for Tolls
What happens when you drive a rental car through a toll
When you drive a rental car through a toll booth or an automated toll lane, the toll authority records your license plate. The rental company receives the bill weeks later and charges you for it — usually with a processing fee on top. You will not see the toll charge at the rental counter; it arrives as a separate charge on your credit card after you return the car.
The rental company has three ways to handle tolls. They can bill you directly for the toll plus their fee. They can enroll you in a prepaid toll program where you pay upfront. Or they can let you use your own toll account if you have one. Which option applies depends on the rental company's policy and what you choose at pickup.
South Carolina has tolls on the Charleston Harbor System (the bridges connecting Charleston to Mount Pleasant and James Island) and on I-77 near the North Carolina border. If you rent a car in or near these areas, you are likely to encounter toll charges.
Key Takeaways
- Rental companies charge you the toll amount plus a processing fee that ranges from $3 to $15 per toll transaction, depending on the company.
- You can usually choose at pickup whether to pay tolls as they occur or prepay a flat fee for unlimited tolls during your rental period.
- If you have your own toll account (like E-ZPass), you can use it in your rental car to avoid the rental company's processing fees.
- The toll charge appears on your credit card days or weeks after you return the car, not at the rental counter.
- Disputing a toll charge requires contacting the rental company within a set timeframe, usually 30 days, with proof of the disputed toll.
How rental companies bill you for tolls
Most rental companies offer two payment methods at the time you pick up the car. The first is pay-as-you-go: you authorize the company to charge your credit card for each toll you incur, plus a processing fee. This fee is typically $3 to $15 per toll, depending on the company. Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget all use this model, though the exact fee varies.
The second method is prepaid toll packages. You pay a flat fee upfront — usually $15 to $30 for a rental period — and all tolls during that time are covered with no additional per-toll fees. This works well if you know you will use tolls multiple times. If you do not use tolls, you lose the prepaid amount.
Some companies also let you bring your own toll account — an E-ZPass, SunPass, or similar device — and use it in the rental car. This avoids the rental company's processing fees entirely, though you pay tolls through your own account as usual.
Understanding the processing fees
The processing fee is what the rental company charges on top of the actual toll amount. It covers the cost of receiving the bill from the toll authority, matching it to your rental agreement, and processing the charge. A $5 toll might cost you $5 plus a $5 processing fee, for a total of $10.
These fees are not negotiable at the counter, but they are disclosed in the rental agreement. Read the toll section carefully before signing. If you do not want to pay processing fees, prepaying for tolls or using your own toll account are your only options.
Some rental companies waive processing fees for customers who prepay. Others charge the same fee structure regardless. Call the rental company before you book if toll fees are a concern for your trip.
Tolls in South Carolina and nearby areas
The Charleston Harbor System includes three toll bridges: the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (I-526 to Mount Pleasant), the Simons Point Bridge, and the Don Holt Bridge. Each crossing costs $2 for a passenger vehicle. If you rent a car in Charleston and drive to Mount Pleasant or James Island, you will encounter at least one toll.
The I-77 toll plaza near the North Carolina border charges $3.50 for a passenger vehicle. If you rent a car and drive north toward Charlotte, you will pass through this toll.
Tolls in South Carolina are collected electronically. There are no toll booths where you hand cash to an attendant. All tolls are recorded by license plate, and the rental company receives the bill.
What to do if you want to avoid rental company fees
If you have your own toll account — an E-ZPass, SunPass, or another regional toll pass — bring the device with you and use it in the rental car. The toll authority will charge your account directly, and the rental company will not add a processing fee. This is the cheapest option if you already have an account.
If you do not have a toll account and do not want to pay processing fees, prepay for tolls at pickup. You will pay a flat fee upfront, but you avoid per-toll charges. For a short trip with one or two tolls, this may cost more than pay-as-you-go. For a longer trip with many tolls, it usually costs less.
If you are renting a car for a single day and do not plan to use tolls, ask the rental agent which routes avoid tolls. In the Charleston area, you can reach Mount Pleasant via Highway 17 instead of the Ravenel Bridge, though it takes longer.
How to dispute a toll charge
If you see a toll charge on your credit card that you believe is wrong — you did not drive that route, the amount is incorrect, or the toll was charged twice — contact the rental company within 30 days. Have your rental agreement, the dates you rented the car, and the disputed charge amount ready.
The rental company will investigate by checking the toll authority's records. If the toll authority confirms the charge, the company will explain why. If there was an error, the company will remove the charge or issue a credit.
If the rental company refuses to help, you can contact the toll authority directly. For Charleston Harbor System tolls, contact the Charleston County Transportation Authority. For I-77 tolls, contact the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Provide them with your rental agreement and the disputed toll date and amount.
Prepaid toll packages versus pay-as-you-go
Choose prepaid tolls if you know you will use tolls multiple times during your rental. For example, if you are renting a car for a week and plan to drive to Mount Pleasant three times, prepaying saves money. A $20 prepaid package covers all three crossings (six tolls total at $2 each) with no processing fees.
Choose pay-as-you-go if you are unsure whether you will use tolls or if you will use them only once or twice. You pay only for the tolls you actually incur, plus the processing fee. If you use tolls once, you pay one toll plus one fee. If you do not use tolls at all, you pay nothing.
The break-even point depends on the rental company's processing fee and the prepaid package price. At most companies, if you will use tolls more than twice, prepaying is cheaper. Ask the rental agent for the exact fee structure before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own E-ZPass in a rental car?
Yes. Bring your E-ZPass or other toll device and use it in the rental car. The toll authority will charge your account directly, and the rental company will not add a processing fee. Tell the rental agent you are bringing your own toll device so they do not enroll you in their toll program.
What if I do not know about a toll charge until I see it on my credit card?
This is normal. Toll charges appear on your card days or weeks after you return the car, not at pickup. The rental company receives the bill from the toll authority, matches it to your rental agreement, and charges you. If the charge is correct, you owe it. If you believe it is wrong, contact the rental company within 30 days.
Do I have to prepay for tolls, or can I refuse?
You do not have to prepay. You can choose pay-as-you-go at pickup and pay only for tolls you actually use, plus the processing fee. Prepaying is optional and is usually cheaper only if you will use tolls multiple times.
What if the rental company charges me for a toll I did not incur?
Contact the rental company within 30 days with your rental agreement and the disputed charge. The company will check the toll authority's records. If there was an error, they will remove the charge. If the toll authority confirms it, the company will explain why you were charged.
Are there routes in Charleston that avoid tolls?
Yes. You can reach Mount Pleasant via Highway 17 instead of the Ravenel Bridge, though it takes longer. For most other destinations in the Charleston area, tolls are unavoidable if you want the fastest route. Ask the rental agent for toll-free directions if you want to avoid charges.