Grand Parkway Toll Roads Complete Guide: TxTag, EZ TAG, Rates & Payment 2025
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Grand Parkway Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Electronic toll collection only (TxTag, EZ TAG, TollTag, K-TAG, PIKEPASS)
Coverage: 8 operational segments from I-10 West to SH 146, 107 miles when complete
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: Electronic transponders only, no cash option
Operators: TxDOT (majority), Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA)
Do I Need a Toll Tag for Grand Parkway? 2025 Update
Yes, you must have a valid electronic toll tag to drive on Grand Parkway toll sections - there is no cash payment option anywhere on the system. Unlike some Texas toll roads, Grand Parkway does not offer Pay by Plate billing for most segments.
Key Reality: Driving without a valid toll tag on Fort Bend County segments results in violation notices with additional fees. TxDOT segments now offer Pay by Plate with 50% surcharge over tag rates as of April 2025.
2025 Update: HCTRA now manages TxTag billing (since November 2024), and toll rates increased on January 1 and April 1, 2025. The system accepts TxTag, EZ TAG, TollTag, K-TAG, PIKEPASS, and METRO HOT Lanes tags.
Grand Parkway Toll Costs: Current Rates
Grand Parkway operates as SH 99, forming the outer loop around Houston with electronic tolling throughout eight operational segments covering approximately 107 miles.
Current Toll Rates by Segment (2025)
| Segment | Location | Tag Rate (2-Axle) | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segment D (FBCTRA) | US 59 South to Fry Road | $0.44 per plaza (7 plazas) | Fort Bend County |
| Segment D (TxDOT) | Fry Road to I-10 West | Non-tolled section | TxDOT |
| Segment E | I-10 West to HWY 290 | Distance-based rates | TxDOT |
| Segment F-1 | HWY 290 to HWY 249 | Distance-based rates | TxDOT |
| Segment F-2 | HWY 249 to I-45 | Distance-based rates | TxDOT |
| Segment G | I-45 to HWY 59 North | Distance-based rates | TxDOT |
| Segment H | HWY 59 North to HWY 90 | Distance-based rates | TxDOT |
| Segment I-1 & I-2 | HWY 90 to SH 146 | Distance-based rates | TxDOT |
Vehicle Class Structure (2025)
| Vehicle Class | Description | Rate Multiplier | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Axle | Cars, motorcycles, light trucks | Base rate | Sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks |
| 3-Axle | Small trucks, RVs with trailer | 2x base rate | Dual-wheel trucks, motorhomes |
| 4-Axle | Medium trucks | 3x base rate | Delivery trucks, small semis |
| 5-Axle | Large trucks | 4x base rate | Standard tractor-trailers |
| 6+ Axle | Heavy commercial vehicles | 5x base rate | Oversized loads, multi-trailer rigs |
How to Pay Grand Parkway Tolls
You can use the following toll payment methods to pay tolls on Grand Parkway:
1. Electronic Toll Tags (Required for FBCTRA segments):
- TxTag (managed by HCTRA since November 2024)
- EZ TAG (Harris County Toll Road Authority)
- TollTag (North Texas Tollway Authority)
- K-TAG (Kansas Turnpike Authority)
- PIKEPASS (Oklahoma Turnpike Authority)
- METRO HOT Lanes Toll Tag
2. Pay by Plate (TxDOT segments only, as of April 2025):
- License plate recognition billing
- 50% surcharge over tag rates
- Invoice mailed to vehicle owner
- Not available on Fort Bend County segments
3. Trip Building Process (FBCTRA segments):
- Multiple tolls combined into single transaction
- Example: 7 x $0.44 tolls = one $3.08 charge
- No additional fees, simplified billing
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Grand Parkway toll roads, use TollGuru Texas toll calculator
Recent Changes (2025)
TxTag Management Transfer:
- HCTRA now manages TxTag billing effective November 2024
- Improved customer service and billing consistency
- All existing TxTags continue to work normally
Toll Rate Increases:
- January 1, 2025: Tag toll rates increased across TxDOT segments
- April 1, 2025: Pay by Plate option introduced with 50% surcharge
- Fort Bend County segments maintain electronic-only policy
System Expansion:
- 8 segments now operational covering 107 miles
- Segments A, B, C under development to complete 184-mile loop
- Enhanced hurricane evacuation routes for Houston area
Texas Regional Toll Information
Houston Area Toll Network - Comprehensive System:
- Houston Toll Roads - Complete Houston area toll network
- Sam Houston Tollway - Inner loop around Houston (Beltway 8)
- Westpark Tollway - East-west connector from Grand Parkway to Loop 610
- Hardy Toll Road - North-south connector through Houston
- Katy Freeway - I-10 managed lanes west of Houston
- Tomball Tollway - SH 249 extension north of Houston
Fort Bend County Facilities:
- Fort Bend Parkway - Connects Sienna to Sam Houston Tollway
- Westpark Tollway - Fort Bend County segment
- Grand Parkway Segment D - Fort Bend County operated portion
Texas State Toll Roads:
- Austin Toll Roads - Central Texas toll network including SH 130, Loop 1
- Dallas Toll Roads - North Texas toll system operated by NTTA
- San Antonio Toll Roads - South Texas toll facilities
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Full Fort Bend segment: $3.08 (7 plazas at $0.44 each)
- Cross-town trips: $5-15 depending on segments used
- Commercial vehicles: 2x to 5x passenger car rates
Toll-Free Alternatives:
- FM 1093 parallel to Westpark Tollway (slower but free)
- Local roads through residential areas (significantly slower)
- Exit before tolled overpasses on FBCTRA segments
Special Programs:
- 100% toll discount for disabled veterans with qualifying plates
- Trip building combines multiple transactions for simplified billing
- Cross-operator compatibility across all Texas toll tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid Grand Parkway tolls completely?
Partially - you can exit before tolled overpasses on Fort Bend segments or use parallel roads like FM 1093. However, this adds 15-45 minutes to most trips and isn't practical for long-distance travel around Houston.
What happens if I don't have a toll tag on FBCTRA segments?
You'll receive a violation notice with additional fees. FBCTRA operates electronic-only tolling with no Pay by Plate option. Call (855) 999-2024 for one-time payment, but future travel requires a valid toll tag.
Do motorcycles pay tolls on Grand Parkway?
Yes, motorcycles are classified as 2-axle vehicles and pay the same tolls as passenger cars. They must have a valid electronic toll tag on all segments.
Can I use E-ZPass on Grand Parkway?
No, E-ZPass is not accepted in Texas. You need TxTag, EZ TAG, TollTag, K-TAG, PIKEPASS, or METRO HOT Lanes tags to use Grand Parkway toll facilities.
How does trip building work on FBCTRA segments?
FBCTRA combines multiple tolls within 4 hours on the same road into one transaction. For example, 7 separate $0.44 charges become one $3.08 charge on your statement, simplifying billing without additional fees.
Grand Parkway vs. Regional Toll Roads
| Toll Road | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Parkway (SH 99) | Electronic only | $0.44-0.75/segment | Outer Houston loop |
| Sam Houston Tollway | Electronic + limited cash | $1.20-1.75/segment | Inner Houston loop |
| Westpark Tollway | Electronic only | $0.40-1.50/segment | East-west connector |
| Austin Toll Roads | Electronic + Pay by Plate | $0.25-1.00/segment | Central Texas network |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Houston Toll Roads - Complete Houston area toll information
- Texas Toll Roads - Statewide toll road network
- Sam Houston Tollway - Inner loop toll system
- Westpark Tollway - Connecting east-west toll road
- Fort Bend Parkway - North-south Fort Bend County connector
- TxDOT Toll Roads - State-operated toll facilities
Official Agencies:
- TxDOT: 1-800-452-9292 - State highway information and TxTag support
- FBCTRA: (855) 999-2024 - Fort Bend County segments billing and violations
- HCTRA: (713) 875-3279 - EZ TAG accounts and Houston area tolls
- NTTA: (817) 731-6882 - TollTag accounts (works on all Texas toll roads)
