BR-101 Toll Road 2025: Complete Guide to Brazil's Coastal Highway
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BR-101 Toll Road Complete Guide
System: Electronic toll collection + Cash/Card payment
Coverage: 4,800 km coastal highway across 12 Brazilian states
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
Technology: Electronic toll tags (Sem Parar, ConectCar), Free Flow system
Operators: Arteris, CCR Group, EcoRodovias (multiple concessionaires)
Do I Need Electronic Tags for BR-101? 2025 Update
No, you don't need electronic toll tags to drive on BR-101 - but you'll save time and often money with one. Brazil's longest highway operates with mixed electronic and manual toll collection, accepting electronic tags, cash, and credit cards at most toll plazas.
Key Reality: Electronic tags like Sem Parar and ConectCar offer discounts and faster passage. Some newer sections use Free Flow technology requiring no stopping, while traditional plazas still accept cash payments.
2025 Update: Recent toll adjustments by Arteris Litoral Sul increased rates to R$5.70 for passenger cars. Free Flow systems expanding in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro sections, with infrastructure investments exceeding R$20 billion.
BR-101 Toll Costs: Current Rates
BR-101 operates with different concessionaires managing various sections, resulting in varying toll rates across the 4,800 km highway.
Current Toll Rates by Section (2025)
| Section/Concessionaire | Passenger Cars (Class 1) | Trucks (Class 5) | Recent Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arteris Litoral Sul (SC) | R$5.70 | R$19.00 | Increased Jan 2025 (+R$0.50) |
| CCR Via Lagos (RJ) | R$4.80-7.20 | R$16.00-24.00 | Varies by plaza |
| Rio-Niterói Bridge | R$6.20 | R$18.60 | One-way toll (entering Niterói) |
| EcoRodovias ES-101 | R$5.10-6.50 | R$17.00-22.00 | Espírito Santo section |
| Arteris Fluminense (RJ) | R$7.00-9.50 | R$21.00-28.50 | Rio-Campos section |
Where You Pay Tolls on BR-101 (2025)
Tolled Sections: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Santa Catarina, and select segments in other states
Free Sections: Significant portions in northeastern states (Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco) under government management
Major Cities Connected: Touros-RN to São José do Norte-RS, passing through 12 state capitals
How to Pay BR-101 Tolls
You can use the following methods to pay tolls on BR-101:
1. Electronic Toll Tags:
- Sem Parar: Most widely accepted electronic tag nationwide
- ConectCar: Alternative electronic system with broad acceptance
- C6 Taggy, Move Mais, Veloe: Additional tag options for different concessionaires
- Automatic payment with discounts at most facilities
2. Manual Payment Options:
- Cash: Accepted at traditional toll plazas
- Credit/Debit Cards: Available at most toll facilities
- Exact change recommended for faster service
3. Free Flow Technology:
- No stopping required - automatic license plate recognition
- Expanding in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro sections
- Post-travel billing for vehicles without electronic tags
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across BR-101 and other Brazilian highways, use TollGuru Brazil toll calculator
Recent Changes (2025)
Toll Rate Adjustments:
- Arteris Litoral Sul increased rates from R$5.20 to R$5.70 (January 2025)
- Adjustments based on IPCA inflation index and contractual rebalancing
- Other concessionaires implementing periodic rate reviews
Infrastructure Developments:
- R$20 billion investment plan by Arteris across network
- Contorno de Florianópolis (Greater Florianópolis Bypass) ongoing
- Duplication works continuing in northeastern sections
Technology Upgrades:
- Free Flow toll collection expanding in high-traffic sections
- Enhanced incident detection and emergency response systems
- Improved rest areas and truck parking facilities
State/Regional Toll Information
São Paulo Section - Advanced Infrastructure:
- Rio-Santos Highway - SP section with Free Flow technology
- Connection to Santos Port and Baixada Santista region
- Integration with Anchieta-Imigrantes System
Rio de Janeiro Section - Major Tourist Corridor:
- Rio-Niterói Bridge - 13.3 km landmark bridge (R$6.20 toll)
- CCR Via Lagos managing tourist access to beach regions
- Arteris Fluminense operating Rio-Campos section
Santa Catarina Section - Arteris Litoral Sul:
- Four toll plazas: Garuva, Araquari, Porto Belo, and Palhoça
- Recent rate increase to R$5.70 for passenger vehicles
- Contorno de Florianópolis project under construction
Northeastern States - Government Managed:
- Significant toll-free sections through Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas
- Duplication works ongoing between Natal and Salvador
- DNIT (federal agency) managing most northeastern segments
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Total tolls for São Paulo-Rio journey: R$20-40 depending on route
- Electronic tag discounts: 5-10% savings over cash payments
- Fuel costs: R$100-150 for typical passenger car São Paulo-Rio trip
Route Planning:
- Multiple toll plazas per state - fractioned toll collection system
- Alternative toll-free routes available but significantly slower
- Peak traffic during holiday seasons and summer months
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid BR-101 tolls completely?
Partially - significant northeastern sections are toll-free, and alternative routes exist. However, avoiding tolls in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro regions adds 2-4 hours to travel time and isn't practical for most journeys.
What happens if I don't pay BR-101 tolls?
Unpaid tolls result in administrative penalties and potential vehicle registration issues. Free Flow sections automatically bill registered vehicle owners, while traditional plazas require immediate payment.
Do motorcycles pay tolls on BR-101?
Yes, motorcycles pay reduced toll rates, typically 30-50% of passenger car rates. Electronic tags work for motorcycles and provide the same convenience and discount benefits.
Which electronic tag works best for BR-101?
Sem Parar and ConectCar offer the broadest acceptance across all BR-101 concessionaires. Choose based on account terms and additional services like parking integration.
Do tourists get different rates?
No, tourists pay the same toll rates as residents. Rental car companies may provide electronic tags or charge administrative fees for toll services.
BR-101 vs. Regional Highways
| Highway | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| BR-101 (Brazil) | Mixed electronic + manual | R$5-10/plaza | 4,800 km coastal highway |
| Argentina Routes | TelePASE + manual | ARS 100-300/plaza | 5,200+ km network |
| Chile Highways | TAG + manual collection | CLP 1,000-3,000 | Urban and interurban |
| Colombia Highways | Manual + some electronic | COP 5,000-15,000 | Major highway network |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Brazil Toll Highways - Complete guide to Brazilian toll system
- Rio-Niterói Bridge - Landmark bridge section of BR-101
- Rio-Santos Highway - Tourist section of BR-101
- Argentina Toll Roads - Neighboring country comparison
- Chile Toll Roads - Regional highway systems
- Colombia Toll Roads - South American toll networks
Concessionaires & Services:
- Arteris: Customer service and toll information for multiple sections
- CCR Group: Via Lagos and other BR-101 concessions
- EcoRodovias: Espírito Santo and São Paulo sections
- Sem Parar: Electronic toll tag registration and management
- ConectCar: Alternative electronic toll payment system
