Delaware Toll Roads Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Rates & Payment 2025
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Delaware Toll Roads Complete Guide
Click on the map to open toll wiki for a country/state
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System: Electronic toll collection + cash (some locations)
Operator: Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Coverage: I-95, Route 1, US 301, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Technology: E-ZPass, license plate recognition (toll-by-plate)
Do I Need E-ZPass for Delaware? 2025 Update
No, you don't need E-ZPass to use Delaware toll roads, but you'll pay significantly more without it. Delaware is implementing major toll increases by the end of 2025, with substantial premium rates for out-of-state drivers and those without Delaware E-ZPass accounts.
Key Reality: Out-of-state drivers will pay up to $16 on weekdays and $24 on weekends for a roundtrip on Route 1, while Delaware E-ZPass users pay much less.
2025 Update: DelDOT is raising tolls for the first time in a decade, with increases of at least 25% across all major toll facilities. The state needs additional revenue due to declining motor fuel tax collections and rising construction costs.
Delaware Toll Costs: Current Rates
Delaware operates three main toll roads (I-95, Route 1, US 301) plus the Delaware Memorial Bridge, with significant rate increases taking effect by end 2025.
Current Toll Rates by Facility (2025)
<thead> </thead> <tbody> </tbody>| Facility | Delaware E-ZPass | Out-of-State E-ZPass/Cash | Recent Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 1 - Biddles Plaza (Weekday) | $1.50 | $2.50 | Up from $1.00/$1.00 |
| Route 1 - Biddles Plaza (Weekend) | $4.00 | $6.00 | Up from $3.00/$3.00 |
| Route 1 - Dover Plaza (Weekday) | $1.50 | $2.50 | Up from $1.00/$1.00 |
| Route 1 - Dover Plaza (Weekend) | $4.00 | $6.00 | Up from $3.00/$3.00 |
| I-95 Delaware Turnpike (2 plazas) | $5.00 total | $5.00 total | Uniform pricing for all |
| US 301 - Main Gantry | $4.00 | $6.60 (toll-by-plate) | Cashless system only |
| Delaware Memorial Bridge | $4.75-5.00 | $6.00 (cash) | April 2025 cash increase |
Vehicle Classification System
Delaware toll roads use the following vehicle classes:
- Class 1 (2-axle): Cars, motorcycles, light trucks
- Class 2 (3-axle): Large trucks, buses, RVs
- Classes 3-6: Commercial vehicles by axle count
- Oversized vehicles: $11.00 surcharge
How to Pay Delaware Tolls
Electronic Payment Methods
- E-ZPass: All Delaware toll facilities accept E-ZPass transponders from any issuing agency
- Delaware E-ZPass: Provides the lowest toll rates, significant savings over out-of-state accounts
- Toll-by-Plate: License plate recognition with mail billing, higher rates than E-ZPass
Cash Payment
- Route 1: Cash accepted at staffed toll plazas
- I-95: Cash and E-ZPass lanes available
- US 301: Cashless system only - E-ZPass or toll-by-plate
- Delaware Memorial Bridge: Cash accepted with $1 surcharge over E-ZPass rates as of April 2025
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Delaware toll roads, use TollGuru Delaware toll calculator.
Recent Changes (2025)
Major Toll Increases Coming
DelDOT announced the first toll increases in a decade, taking effect by end 2025:
- Route 1 Weekend Rates: Delaware E-ZPass users will pay $4.00 at each plaza (up from $3.00), while out-of-state drivers pay $6.00
- Revenue Impact: Expected to generate $39 million from Route 1 and $22 million from I-95
- Justification: Rising construction costs (20-50% increases) and $16.3 million decrease in motor fuel tax revenue
Delaware Memorial Bridge Updates
Phase 1 of toll increases took effect April 1, 2025, affecting cash customers only with $1 increase for cars and $1 per axle for trucks.
Cashless Conversion Progress
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission eliminated cash service at four bridges in January 2025, following three bridges that went cashless in June 2024.
State/Regional Toll Information
Delaware Toll Roads
- I-95 (John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway): Main north-south corridor connecting Maryland to New Jersey via Delaware Memorial Bridge
- Route 1 (Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Major toll road connecting Dover to Wilmington area with weekend premium pricing
- US 301 (First Responders Memorial Highway): Cashless toll road from Maryland border to Route 1, with mainline and ramp tolling
Bridge Connections
- Delaware Memorial Bridge: Carries I-295 and US-40 over Delaware River, one-way tolling from New Jersey to Delaware
- Delaware River Joint Toll Bridges: Multiple crossings to Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations
- Daily costs: $5-16 for Delaware residents, $5-24 for out-of-state drivers on major routes
- Weekend premium: Route 1 charges significantly higher rates Friday 7 PM - Sunday 11 PM
- E-ZPass savings: Substantial discounts, especially with Delaware-issued accounts
Alternative Routes
- US 13: Parallel to Route 1, toll-free but slower
- Secondary roads: Available but add significant travel time
- I-495: Bypass around Wilmington area
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid Delaware tolls completely?
Yes, but with significant time penalties. US 13 runs parallel to Route 1 as a toll-free alternative, and various secondary roads connect to neighboring states, though travel times increase substantially.
What happens if I don't pay Delaware tolls?
Unpaid toll-by-plate invoices progress to violations with $25 administrative fee, $10 ambulance fund fee, and $15 violent crime fee per transaction.
Do I need a Delaware E-ZPass for the best rates?
Yes, Delaware E-ZPass provides the lowest toll rates. Out-of-state E-ZPass and cash customers pay premium rates, especially on Route 1 weekends.
When do weekend rates apply?
Weekend premium pricing on Route 1 is in effect Friday 7 PM through Sunday 11 PM.
Why are tolls increasing so much?
DelDOT cites 20-50% increases in construction costs over five years and declining motor fuel tax revenue due to more efficient vehicles and electric car adoption.
Delaware vs. Neighboring States
<thead> </thead> <tbody> </tbody>| State | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Mixed electronic/cash | $0.20-0.40/mile | 3 major toll roads |
| Maryland | Electronic + cash | $0.15-0.30/mile | Extensive network |
| New Jersey | Electronic + cash | $0.20-0.35/mile | Garden State Parkway, Turnpike |
| Pennsylvania | Electronic + cash | $0.15-0.25/mile | PA Turnpike system |
Useful Links & Resources
Payment Account Setup
- Delaware E-ZPass: 1-888-397-2773
- E-ZPass Customer Service Centers
- Online account management portals
Traffic and Route Information
- DelDOT Traffic Cameras
- Real-time traffic conditions
- Construction updates and detours
- I-95 Delaware Toll - Detailed turnpike information
- Route 1 Delaware Toll - Complete rate schedules
- US 301 Delaware Toll - Cashless system details
- Delaware Memorial Bridge Toll - Bridge rates and discounts
Links for Future Updates
High Priority Updates Needed
- route-1-delaware-toll - New weekend rates effective end 2025
- i-95-delaware-toll - Uniform $5.00 toll structure updates
- us-301-delaware-toll - Current cashless rates and ramp tolling
Medium Priority Updates
- delaware-memorial-bridge-toll - Phase 2 toll increases (2027+)
- delaware-e-zpass - Account setup and discount programs
- pay-toll-delaware - Updated payment method comparison
Related Infrastructure Updates
- Regional bridge toll authorities coordination
- Cross-border E-ZPass compatibility updates
- Construction impact on toll collection points
