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Delaware Route 1 - Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Official Name: Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Length: 51 miles (34 miles tolled section)
Toll Plazas: Dover, Biddles Corner (mainline) + 3 ramp tolls
Opened: 1992-2003 (various sections)
Operator: Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)
Cost: $900 million (total construction)

Do I Need to Pay Tolls on Delaware Route 1? 2025 Update

Only if you travel the central section - about 34 miles of Route 1's 51-mile length are tolled. The northern section from I-95 to St. Georges (about 17 miles) is toll-free, while the southern section from Dover Air Force Base to the beaches is also toll-free.

Key Reality: The tolled section includes two major mainline plazas (Dover and Biddles Corner) plus three ramp tolls. Weekend rates are 166-300% higher than weekday rates.

2025 Update: Major toll increases took effect with Delaware E-ZPass users seeing rates rise from $1.00 to $1.50 on weekdays and $3.00 to $4.00 on weekends at each mainline plaza.

Delaware Route 1 Toll Costs: Current Rates

Route 1 uses a barrier toll system with significant rate differences between Delaware E-ZPass users and out-of-state drivers, plus dramatic weekend surcharges.

Mainline Toll Plaza Rates (2025)

Plaza Delaware E-ZPass Weekday Delaware E-ZPass Weekend Out-of-State/Cash
Dover Toll Plaza (Exit 95) $1.50 $4.00 $2.50 / $6.00
Biddles Corner Toll Plaza (Exit 147) $1.50 $4.00 $2.50 / $6.00
Total End-to-End Cost $3.00 $8.00 $5.00 / $12.00

Ramp Toll Locations (2025)

Exit Location Toll Rate Direction
104 US 13 North Dover $0.50 SB exit / NB entrance
114 US 13 South Smyrna $0.25 SB exit / NB entrance
142 DE 896 Boyds Corner $0.50 NB exit / SB entrance

Weekend Toll Hours

Weekend rates apply: Friday 7:00 PM through Sunday 11:00 PM

Holiday weekends: Weekend rates may extend for holiday periods

Route 1 Toll Plaza Locations

Dover Toll Plaza (Mile Marker 95)

Location: 200 Plaza Drive, Dover, DE 19901

Features: Staffed cash lanes, high-speed E-ZPass lanes, adjacent to Dover Downs and Dover International Speedway

Access: Denny's Road on/off ramps (northern end), South Smyrna on/off ramps (southern end)

Biddles Corner Toll Plaza (Mile Marker 147)

Location: 2111 Dupont Highway, Middletown, DE 19709

Features: Staffed cash lanes, high-speed E-ZPass lanes, just south of Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge

Access: Boyd's Corner on/off ramps, Route 13 and Route 896 access

Record Traffic: Over 360,000 vehicles on holiday weekends

How to Pay Route 1 Tolls

Delaware Route 1 accepts multiple payment methods with significant rate differences based on your E-ZPass type and payment method.

1. Delaware E-ZPass (Best Rates):

  • Lowest toll rates available
  • High-speed lanes at mainline plazas
  • Frequent user discount (50% off after 30 trips in 30 days)
  • Available at Wawa, AAA, and other retailers

2. Out-of-State E-ZPass:

  • Higher rates than Delaware E-ZPass
  • Works in high-speed lanes
  • No frequent user discount
  • Same rates as cash payment

3. Cash Payment:

  • Mainline plazas: Staffed lanes available 24/7
  • Ramp tolls: Exact change required (unattended)
  • Same high rates as out-of-state E-ZPass
  • Slower processing through toll plazas

To calculate toll costs for your specific trip on Delaware Route 1, use TollGuru's Route 1 toll calculator

Recent Changes (2025)

Major Rate Increases:

  • Delaware E-ZPass weekday rates: $1.00 → $1.50 per plaza (50% increase)
  • Delaware E-ZPass weekend rates: $3.00 → $4.00 per plaza (33% increase)
  • Out-of-state/cash weekday rates: $1.00 → $2.50 per plaza (150% increase)
  • Out-of-state/cash weekend rates: $3.00 → $6.00 per plaza (100% increase)

Revenue Impact:

  • Expected additional revenue: $39 million annually
  • First toll increase since 2014
  • Funding statewide transportation projects

Operational Updates:

  • US 301 connection opened at Exit 147 (2019)
  • Enhanced E-ZPass enforcement technology
  • Improved traffic flow management during peak periods

Route 1 Major Exits & Connections

Northern Section (Toll-Free)

Exit 4: I-95 interchange (busiest in Delaware)

Exit 164: Christiana Mall, SR 7

Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge: Crossing Chesapeake & Delaware Canal

Tolled Section

Exit 147: Biddles Corner Toll Plaza, US 301 connection

Exit 142: DE 896 Boyds Corner (ramp toll)

Exit 136: DE 299 Middletown/Odessa

Exit 114: US 13 South Smyrna (ramp toll)

Exit 104: US 13 North Dover (ramp toll)

Exit 95: Dover Toll Plaza

Southern Section (Toll-Free)

Dover Air Force Base: Multiple base gates and entrances

Southern Terminus: Connection to US 13, continues to Delaware beaches

Planning Your Route 1 Journey

Travel Cost Examples (Delaware E-ZPass):

  • I-95 to Dover: $1.50 weekday / $4.00 weekend (one plaza)
  • I-95 to Delaware beaches: $3.00 weekday / $8.00 weekend (both plazas)
  • Dover to Rehoboth Beach: $1.50 weekday / $4.00 weekend (one plaza)

Out-of-State Driver Costs:

  • Weekend beach trip (round trip): $24.00 (4x weekend plaza tolls)
  • Weekday commute (round trip): $10.00 (4x weekday plaza tolls)
  • Annual Delaware E-ZPass savings: $500-1,000 for regular users

Toll-Free Alternatives:

  • US Route 13: Parallel route through downtown areas (30-45 minutes slower)
  • Local roads: Available but significantly longer travel times
  • Combined routes: Mix of Route 1 toll-free sections with local roads

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid Route 1 tolls completely?

Yes, by using US Route 13 which parallels Route 1 through most of Delaware. However, US 13 adds 30-45 minutes to most trips and passes through numerous towns with traffic lights and lower speed limits.

Why are weekend tolls so much higher?

Weekend tolls were introduced in 2007 and increased in 2014 to fund statewide transportation projects. Route 1 sees massive traffic to Delaware beaches on weekends, and higher tolls help manage demand while generating revenue.

Do I need exact change for ramp tolls?

Yes, ramp tolls (Exits 104, 114, and 142) are unattended and require exact change if paying cash. E-ZPass users can pass through without stopping. The ramp toll amounts are $0.25 or $0.50 depending on location.

What's the frequent user discount?

Delaware E-ZPass users who make 30 or more trips in 30 days receive a 50% discount on tolls. This applies automatically and is particularly valuable for daily commuters using Route 1.

When does the weekend toll period start?

Weekend tolls begin Friday at 7:00 PM and continue through Sunday at 11:00 PM. This captures the Friday evening beach traffic and Sunday evening return traffic that creates the heaviest congestion.

Route 1 vs. Alternative Routes

Route Cost Travel Time Notes
Route 1 (DE E-ZPass) $3.00-8.00 Fast Limited access highway
Route 1 (Out-of-State) $5.00-12.00 Fast Premium rates for non-residents
US Route 13 $0.00 +30-45 minutes Many traffic lights, lower speeds
Local Roads $0.00 +60-90 minutes Complex navigation, very slow

Useful Links & Resources

Related Delaware Toll Pages:

Official Resources:

  • DelDOT Route 1 Information: (302) 760-2080
  • Delaware E-ZPass Customer Service: 1-888-397-2773
  • Route 1 Traffic Cameras: Available on DelDOT website
  • Real-time toll rates: DelDOT toll calculator

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