Toll-Free States Complete Guide: 13 States Without Tolls 2025
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Toll-Free States Complete Guide
Total Toll-Free: 13 states plus District of Columbia
No Transponders Needed: E-ZPass, SunPass, or any electronic toll devices
Funding Model: Gas taxes, federal highway funds, and state transportation budgets
Travel Advantage: No toll costs, simplified route planning, predictable budgets
Coverage: 26% of US states maintain completely toll-free highway systems
Do I Need a Toll Pass in Toll-Free States? 2025 Update
No, you don't need any toll pass, transponder, or electronic payment device to drive in toll-free states. These 13 states and Washington DC maintain completely toll-free highway systems, allowing unlimited travel without worrying about tolls, E-ZPass, or payment methods.
Key Reality: Toll-free states represent 26% of the US, covering vast regions where you can drive coast-to-coast segments without paying a single toll. This saves travelers hundreds of dollars annually compared to toll-heavy states like New York or Florida.
2025 Update: Despite inflation and infrastructure funding challenges, all 13 toll-free states continue to maintain their toll-free status with no plans to introduce tolls. Some states have explicitly rejected toll proposals to preserve their toll-free advantage.
Complete List of Toll-Free States (2025)
Thirteen US states plus the District of Columbia maintain completely toll-free highway systems, covering diverse geographic regions from coast to coast.
The 13 Toll-Free States
| State | Region | Interstate Miles | Major Highways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Southwest | 1,169 miles | I-10, I-17, I-40 |
| Arkansas | South | 655 miles | I-30, I-40, I-49, I-55 |
| Connecticut | Northeast | 346 miles | I-84, I-91, I-95 |
| Hawaii | Pacific | 55 miles | H-1, H-2, H-3 |
| Idaho | Mountain West | 610 miles | I-15, I-84, I-86 |
| Iowa | Midwest | 782 miles | I-29, I-35, I-80 |
| Mississippi | South | 674 miles | I-10, I-20, I-55 |
| Montana | Mountain West | 1,191 miles | I-15, I-90, I-94 |
| Nevada | Mountain West | 560 miles | I-15, I-80 |
| New Mexico | Southwest | 1,000 miles | I-10, I-25, I-40 |
| North Dakota | Great Plains | 571 miles | I-29, I-94 |
| South Dakota | Great Plains | 679 miles | I-29, I-90 |
| Tennessee | South | 1,104 miles | I-24, I-40, I-65, I-75 |
| Wisconsin | Midwest | 743 miles | I-39, I-41, I-43, I-90, I-94 |
| Wyoming | Mountain West | 914 miles | I-25, I-80 |
| District of Columbia | Federal District | 12 miles | I-95, I-295, I-395 |
Geographic Distribution
Mountain West (6 states): Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming
Great Plains (2 states): North Dakota, South Dakota
South (3 states): Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee
Midwest (2 states): Iowa, Wisconsin
Northeast (1 state): Connecticut
Pacific (1 state): Hawaii
Federal District (1): Washington DC
Benefits of Toll-Free States
Toll-free states offer significant advantages for both residents and travelers, making them attractive for road trips, relocations, and business operations.
Travel & Cost Advantages:
- Zero toll costs for all highways, bridges, and tunnels
- No need to purchase or maintain toll transponders
- Simplified route planning without toll avoidance considerations
- Predictable travel budgets with only fuel and lodging costs
- No risk of missed toll violations or penalties
Business & Economic Benefits:
- Lower freight and transportation costs
- Simplified fleet management without toll administration
- Reduced administrative burden for expense tracking
- Competitive advantage for logistics and distribution companies
- Lower cost of living due to reduced transportation expenses
Infrastructure & Policy Benefits:
- Equitable access to transportation infrastructure
- No regressive taxation through toll collection
- Streamlined highway operations without toll collection costs
- Focus on maintaining existing infrastructure rather than toll technology
- Democratic access to mobility regardless of income level
How Toll-Free States Fund Transportation
Toll-free states use alternative funding mechanisms to maintain and develop their transportation infrastructure without relying on toll revenue.
Primary Funding Sources:
- Federal gasoline and diesel taxes (18.4¢ and 24.4¢ per gallon respectively)
- State fuel taxes (varies by state, typically 10-50¢ per gallon)
- Federal Highway Trust Fund allocations
- Vehicle registration fees and motor vehicle taxes
- General state revenue and transportation budgets
Additional Revenue Streams:
- Commercial vehicle permits and licensing fees
- Weight-mile taxes for heavy trucks (select states)
- Sales taxes on automotive products and services
- Bond financing for major infrastructure projects
- Federal grants for specific transportation initiatives
Funding Advantages:
- No toll collection infrastructure costs (estimated 10-15% of toll revenue)
- Simplified administration and reduced bureaucracy
- Broader tax base including all fuel users, not just highway users
- Federal funding opportunities may be greater for toll-free states
- Lower long-term debt from avoided toll facility construction
Planning Cross-Country Travel Through Toll-Free States
Strategic routing through toll-free states can save hundreds of dollars on cross-country trips while providing access to diverse landscapes and attractions.
Northern Toll-Free Corridor:
- I-90: Montana → South Dakota → Wisconsin
- I-94: Montana → North Dakota → Wisconsin
- I-80: Nevada → Wyoming → Iowa
- Connect to I-90 in Wisconsin for eastern access
Southern Toll-Free Corridor:
- I-40: Arizona → New Mexico → Arkansas → Tennessee
- I-10: Arizona → New Mexico (connect to I-20 through toll-free states)
- I-20: Arkansas → Mississippi (continue east through toll states)
- I-55: Arkansas → Mississippi → Tennessee
Regional Connections:
- I-29: North Dakota → South Dakota → Iowa (connects to I-80)
- I-25: Wyoming → New Mexico (connects to I-40)
- I-15: Idaho → Nevada → Arizona (connects to I-10)
- I-84: Idaho (connects to I-80 in Nevada or I-15 in Utah)
Cost Savings Examples:
- Seattle to Chicago via toll-free states: $0 in tolls vs $50+ through toll states
- Los Angeles to Nashville via I-40: $0 in tolls vs $75+ through Texas toll roads
- Denver to Memphis via toll-free states: $0 in tolls vs $40+ through Kansas Turnpike
- Cross-country trips can save $100-300 by strategically avoiding toll states
States with Minimal Tolls
While not completely toll-free, several states have such limited toll infrastructure that they function as effectively toll-free for most travelers.
| State | Toll Facilities | Typical Cost | Avoidability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel | $13-42 | Not avoidable to Whittier |
| Vermont | Mountain access roads | $2-5 | Easily avoidable |
| Missouri | Lake of Ozarks Community Bridge | $2-3 | Easily avoidable |
| Utah | Adams Avenue Parkway | $0.50-2.00 | Easily avoidable |
| Minnesota | 2 bridges (International Falls, Fargo-Moorhead) | $0.75-7.00 | Specialty cross-border use |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't toll-free states have tolls?
Toll-free states typically have lower population densities, less highway congestion, and sufficient alternative funding through gas taxes and federal highways funds. Many made policy decisions to avoid tolls for economic development and political reasons.
Are toll-free states more expensive to drive through?
No, toll-free states are significantly less expensive for driving. While some may have higher gas taxes, the total cost including tolls is typically 20-50% lower than traveling through toll states, especially for frequent travelers.
Could toll-free states introduce tolls in the future?
While possible, it's unlikely in the near term. Most toll-free states have strong political opposition to tolls and have found alternative funding mechanisms. States like North Dakota have explicitly rejected toll proposals even during budget shortfalls.
Are toll-free state highways in poor condition?
Not necessarily. Many toll-free states maintain excellent highway systems. States like Wyoming, Montana, and Iowa have well-maintained interstate systems. Highway condition depends more on climate, traffic volume, and maintenance priorities than toll vs. non-toll funding.
Can I drive coast-to-coast without paying tolls?
Yes, but it requires careful route planning and may add travel time. Northern routes through Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin to toll-free sections of interstates can avoid most tolls, though you'll eventually encounter toll states near major metropolitan areas.
Toll-Free vs. Toll States Comparison
| Factor | Toll-Free States | Toll States | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Cost | Fuel only | Fuel + tolls | Toll-Free |
| Route Planning | Simple, direct routes | Toll considerations | Toll-Free |
| Technology Needed | None | Transponders/Apps | Toll-Free |
| Budget Predictability | Highly predictable | Variable toll rates | Toll-Free |
| Traffic Speed | Generally lower density | HOT lanes available | Mixed |
| Highway Condition | Varies by state | Varies by state | Neutral |
| Administrative Burden | Minimal | Accounts, violations | Toll-Free |
| Business Operations | Lower transport costs | Higher transport costs | Toll-Free |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- US Toll Roads - Complete guide to states with toll roads
- Toll-Free Routes - Strategic routing to avoid tolls
- Interstate Highways - Guide to toll-free interstate travel
- Transportation Funding - How states finance highways
State Transportation Departments:
- Arizona Department of Transportation: (602) 712-7355
- Montana Department of Transportation: (406) 444-6200
- Tennessee Department of Transportation: (615) 741-2848
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation: (608) 266-2392
Travel Planning Resources:
- TollGuru Trip Calculator - Route planning with toll avoidance
- Federal Highway Administration - Interstate Highway System information
- State tourism offices - Scenic route recommendations
- AAA Travel Services - Road trip planning assistance
Federal Resources:
- Federal Highway Administration: (202) 366-4000
- US Department of Transportation: Transportation funding information
- National Highway System: Interstate and highway designations
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
