triangle-expressway

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Triangle Expressway Complete Guide

Length: 36.81 miles total (32.4 miles original + newest extension)
Designation: NC 540 (Western/Southern Wake Expressway) + NC 885 (Triangle Parkway)
Service Area: Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area, Wake and Durham counties
Technology: 100% electronic toll collection, NC Quick Pass compatible
Operator: North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA)

Do I Need NC Quick Pass for Triangle Expressway? 2025 Update

You don't need NC Quick Pass to use the Triangle Expressway, but you'll save 50% with it. Starting January 1, 2025, the discount increased from 35% to 50%, making electronic payment essential for cost-effective travel.

Cost Reality: A full-length trip on the original Triangle Expressway costs $4.05 with NC Quick Pass versus $8.10 without it. The new extension costs $4.19 with pass versus $8.38 without.

2025 Update: The Triangle Expressway Southeast Extension opened September 25, 2024, extending from NC 55 in Apex to I-40 near Garner. This creates two distinct toll segments with different rates.

Triangle Expressway Toll Costs: Current Rates

The Triangle Expressway consists of three segments with distance-based tolling. Rates increased January 1, 2025.

Current Toll Rates by Segment (2025)

Segment	Distance	NC Quick Pass (50% discount)	Bill by Mail
Original Triangle Expressway	18 miles	$4.05	$8.10
Southeast Extension (New)	18 miles	$4.19	$8.38
Full Triangle Expressway	36.81 miles	$8.24	$16.48

Vehicle Classifications & Rates

Vehicle Class	Description	Rate Structure	Examples
Class 1 (2-axle)	Standard passenger vehicles	Base rate	Cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, motorcycles
Class 2 (3+ axles)	Large vehicles and combinations	3x base rate	Large trucks, vehicles with trailers

How to Pay Triangle Expressway Tolls

The Triangle Expressway uses 100% electronic toll collection with no toll booths or cash payments anywhere along the route.

1. NC Quick Pass (50% Discount):

• Interior sticker transponders (free for NC-only travel)
• E-ZPass compatible transponders ($7.40 + tax)
• Mobile app account with GPS tracking (no physical device needed)
• Minimum $10 prepaid account balance (reduced from $20 in 2025)

2. Compatible Out-of-State Passes:

• E-ZPass (works but charged at Bill by Mail rate)
• SunPass (Florida) - Bill by Mail rate
• Peach Pass (Georgia) - Bill by Mail rate

3. Bill by Mail (Full Rate):

• Automatic license plate recognition
• Invoice mailed to registered vehicle owner
• Double the NC Quick Pass rate
• 30-day payment window before additional fees

To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types on the Triangle Expressway, use TollGuru North Carolina toll calculator

Triangle Expressway Toll Calculator

Triangle Expressway Route & Segments

The Triangle Expressway consists of three distinct segments forming part of the planned outer loop around Raleigh.

Segment 1: Triangle Parkway (NC 885)

• Length: 3.5 miles
• Route: I-885 (formerly NC 147) from I-40 to NC 540 in Morrisville
• Location: Durham County to Wake County
• Purpose: Extension of Durham Freeway through Research Triangle Park

Segment 2: Western Wake Expressway (NC 540)

• Length: 12.4 miles
• Route: NC 540 from Morrisville to NC 55 in Apex
• Location: Western Wake County
• Purpose: Bypass around western Raleigh suburbs

Segment 3: Southern Wake Expressway (NC 540)

• Length: 16.5 miles (Original) + 4.41 miles (Extension)
• Route: NC 540 from NC 55 to I-40 near Garner
• Location: Southern Wake County
• Purpose: Complete southern portion of Raleigh outer loop

Triangle Expressway Exits & Interchanges

The Triangle Expressway has multiple entry and exit points with distance-based tolling between segments.

Major Interchanges (North to South)

Exit	Road/Connection	Location	Notes
1	I-40	Durham/RTP	Northern terminus, toll plaza
2	Davis Drive	Research Triangle Park	RTP access
69	NC 54 (Chapel Hill Road)	Morrisville	Continues as I-540
67	NC 885 / I-885	Cary	Triangle Parkway junction
66	NC 55	Morrisville	North NC 55 junction
64	Morrisville Parkway	Morrisville	Opened February 2020
59	US 64	Apex	Beaver Creek area
56	US 1	Apex	Downtown Apex access
54	NC 55	Apex/Holly Springs	South NC 55 junction
36	I-40 / Future I-42	Garner	Southern terminus

Recent Changes (2025)

Southeast Extension Opening:

• Opened September 25, 2024 (delayed from August due to Tropical Storm Debby)
• Extends 4.41 miles from NC 55 in Apex to I-40 near Garner
• Creates two distinct toll segments with separate rates
• Some interchanges still under construction (Bells Lake Road, Old Stage Road)

Toll Rate Increases (January 1, 2025):

• Original Triangle Expressway: $4.05 (up $0.11 from $3.94)
• Southeast Extension: $4.19 (up $0.12 from $4.07)
• NC Quick Pass discount increased from 35% to 50%

Future Expansion:

• Eastern Wake Expressway: Construction starting 2025, completion expected 2028
• Will connect I-40 to I-87/US 64/US 264 near Knightdale
• Total project cost: $737 million for final segment

Planning Your Journey

Travel Time Savings:

• Durham to Apex: 25-30 minutes via Triangle Expressway vs 45-60 minutes on surface roads
• RTP to Holly Springs: 15-20 minutes via toll road vs 30-45 minutes alternative routes
• Peak hour savings: 30-45 minutes for cross-metropolitan trips

Cost Considerations:

• Daily commuting: $8-16 with NC Quick Pass for full-length trips
• Monthly costs: $170-350 for regular full-length commuters
• Partial trips: Distance-based pricing with multiple entry/exit points

Toll-Free Alternatives:

• US 1, US 64, NC 55: Parallel routes with longer travel times
• I-40, I-440, I-540: Portions of outer loop remain toll-free
• Surface roads: Available but significantly slower during peak hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid Triangle Expressway tolls?

Yes, the Triangle Expressway is optional. Alternative routes include US 1, US 64, NC 55, and various surface roads. However, these add 30-60 minutes to cross-metropolitan trips during peak hours.

How does distance-based tolling work?

You're charged based on the distance you travel between entry and exit points. The system tracks your entry and exit locations using gantry-mounted cameras and calculates the appropriate toll based on your route.

Do E-ZPass and other out-of-state passes work?

E-ZPass, SunPass, and Peach Pass are compatible but charge you at the higher Bill by Mail rate. Only NC Quick Pass qualifies for the 50% discount.

What happens if I miss an exit?

You'll be charged for the full distance traveled to your actual exit point. The system cannot adjust tolls for missed exits, so plan your route carefully.

Are there discounts for frequent users?

The 50% NC Quick Pass discount is the only discount offered. There are no additional volume discounts or commuter programs currently available.

Triangle Expressway vs. Regional Toll Roads

Toll Road	Location	Length	Full Trip Cost
Triangle Expressway	Raleigh-Durham	36.81 miles	$4.05-$4.19
Monroe Expressway	Charlotte	19.8 miles	$2.92
I-77 Express Lanes	Charlotte	26 miles	$0.50-$15.00
US Toll Roads	Various states	Varies	$0.05-0.50/mile

Useful Links & Resources

Internal Navigation:

• North Carolina Toll Roads - Complete state toll information
• NC Quick Pass - Payment system and account setup
• Monroe Expressway - Charlotte area toll road
• I-77 Express Lanes - Charlotte dynamic toll lanes

Official Resources:

• NC Quick Pass Customer Service: 877-769-7277
• North Carolina Turnpike Authority: ncdot.gov/divisions/turnpike
• Triangle Expressway Information: ncdot.gov/projects/triangle-expressway
• NC Quick Pass Account: ncquickpass.com

Traffic & Travel:

• Real-time traffic: 511NC.gov
• Google Maps: Includes toll cost estimates
• Waze: Real-time toll pricing and route alternatives

Calculate Your Triangle Expressway Toll Cost

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