Ontario Toll Roads Complete Guide: Highway 407 ETR, Rates & Payment 2025
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Ontario Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Electronic toll collection (transponder + license plate recognition)
Coverage: Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - Highway 407 ETR and Highway 407
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Technology: Open road tolling, automatic license plate recognition
Operators: 407 ETR Concession Company (private), Government of Ontario (public)
Do I Need a Transponder for Ontario Toll Roads? 2025 Update
No, you don't need a transponder to drive on Ontario toll roads - but you'll save money with one. Ontario's toll system uses automatic license plate recognition for vehicles without transponders, though transponders eliminate additional fees and provide convenience.
Key Reality: A transponder pays for itself after just three round trips per year by eliminating camera charges and account fees. Heavy vehicles over 5,000 kg are legally required to have transponders.
2025 Update: Major changes include expanded toll zones (4 to 12 zones), new vehicle classifications, and rate increases averaging $8 monthly for regular users. The provincially-owned section (Pickering to Clarington) became toll-free on June 1, 2025.
Ontario Toll Roads: Current Rates & Coverage
Ontario operates Canada's most extensive electronic toll highway system, primarily serving the Greater Toronto Area with two distinct sections under different ownership and pricing structures.
Highway 407 System Overview (2025)
| Section | Length | Operator | Toll Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway 407 ETR | 108 km (Burlington to Pickering) | 407 ETR (Private) | Tolled - 2025 rates |
| Highway 407 East | 43 km (Pickering to Clarington) | Government of Ontario | Toll-free since June 1, 2025 |
| Highway 412 | 10 km (Highway 401 to 407) | Government of Ontario | Toll-free since June 1, 2025 |
| Highway 418 | 16 km (Highway 401 to 407) | Government of Ontario | Toll-free since June 1, 2025 |
Highway 407 ETR Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2025)
| Vehicle Class | Peak Rate Range | Off-Peak Range | Vehicle Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $0.25-0.58/km | $0.18-0.35/km | Two/three-wheeled vehicles |
| Light Vehicle | $0.32-0.85/km | $0.23-0.51/km | Cars, SUVs, vans, small trucks |
| Medium Vehicle | $0.46-1.23/km | $0.33-0.74/km | Large pickups, SUVs, vehicles towing |
| Heavy Single Unit | $0.75-2.01/km | $0.54-1.21/km | Buses, trucks over 5,000 kg |
| Heavy Multiple Unit | $1.13-3.04/km | $0.82-1.83/km | Trucks with trailers over 5,000 kg |
New 12-Zone System (2025)
Highway 407 ETR expanded from 4 to 12 zones to optimize traffic flow and pricing:
- Zone 1: QEW to Dundas
- Zone 2: Dundas to Neyagawa
- Zone 3: Neyagawa to Highway 403
- Zone 4: Highway 403 to Highway 401
- Zone 5: Highway 401 to Highway 410
- Zone 6: Highway 410 to Highway 427
- Zone 7: Highway 427 to Highway 400 (Most expensive section)
- Zone 8: Highway 400 to Yonge
- Zone 9: Yonge to Highway 404
- Zone 10: Highway 404 to McCowan
- Zone 11: McCowan to York Durham Line
- Zone 12: York Durham Line to Brock
How to Pay Ontario Toll Roads
You can use the following payment methods on Ontario toll roads:
1. Transponder System:
- 407 ETR transponder: Works on all Ontario toll roads
- Annual lease: $29.50 plus tax (2025 rates)
- Additional transponders: $11.95 plus tax per unit
- Mandatory for heavy vehicles over 5,000 kg
2. License Plate Recognition:
- Automatic billing to registered vehicle owner
- Bills sent within 45 days of travel
- Additional camera charges apply
- Account fees for non-transponder users
3. Payment Methods:
- Online banking using 407 account number
- Credit/debit cards
- Bank teller payments
- Telephone banking
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types on Ontario toll roads, use TollGuru Ontario toll calculator
Recent Changes (2025)
Major Policy Changes:
- Provincially-owned Highway 407 East became toll-free June 1, 2025
- Highway 412 and 418 connectors now toll-free
- Doug Ford government fulfilled election promise to eliminate provincial tolls
- 407 ETR (private section) remains tolled with increased rates
407 ETR Rate & Structure Changes:
- Expansion from 4 to 12 toll zones for granular pricing
- New vehicle classifications: motorcycles and medium vehicles
- Rate increases ranging from 3-14 cents per kilometer
- First fee increase in 5 years: camera charges, account fees, transponder lease
System Improvements:
- New Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)
- Enhanced CCTV network and control center
- 30 new state-of-the-art snowplows
- New stormwater management infrastructure
Regional Toll Road Information
Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - Canada's Only Major Toll Network:
- Highway 407 ETR - 108 km privately-operated toll highway
- Highway 407 East - 43 km toll-free since June 2025
- Highway 412 - North-south connector, toll-free since June 2025
- Highway 418 - Eastern connector, toll-free since June 2025
- Toronto Toll Roads - Complete GTA toll information
Border Crossings (Toll Facilities):
- Detroit-Windsor Tunnel - Underground crossing with tolls
- Ambassador Bridge - Major Windsor-Detroit crossing
- Gordie Howe International Bridge - Opening fall 2025
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge - Northern Ontario crossing
Toll-Free Highways:
- All other 400-series highways remain toll-free
- Highway 401 - Primary east-west route (toll-free alternative)
- Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) - Toll-free highway
- Highway 404, 400, 403, 410, 427 - All toll-free
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Daily GTA commuting: $15-40 CAD for typical 407 ETR routes
- Peak hour travel: 7-9:30 AM and 3-6:59 PM weekdays cost most
- Cross-GTA travel: $25-60 CAD for full 108 km journey
- Average monthly increase: $8 CAD for regular transponder users
Peak vs Off-Peak Pricing:
- Peak periods: 6:00 AM - 9:59 AM and 3:00 PM - 6:59 PM weekdays
- Midday: 11:00 AM - 6:59 PM (moderate rates)
- Overnight: 7:00 PM - 5:59 AM (lowest rates)
- Weekends and holidays: Generally off-peak rates
Toll-Free Alternatives:
- Highway 401 - Parallel route (significantly slower but toll-free)
- Highway 407 East - Toll-free from Pickering to Clarington
- Local roads - Available but add substantial travel time
- Public transit - GO Transit serves similar GTA corridor
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid Ontario tolls completely?
Yes, Highway 401 provides a toll-free alternative to Highway 407 ETR, though it's significantly slower and more congested. The eastern section (Highway 407 East) is now toll-free since June 2025.
What happens if I don't pay Ontario tolls?
Unpaid tolls can result in license plate denial, preventing vehicle registration renewal. Ontario has unique authority to refuse plate renewals for unpaid 407 ETR tolls.
Do motorcycles pay tolls on Ontario highways?
Yes, but motorcycles now have their own classification with lower rates than cars. 2025 rates range from $0.18-0.58 per kilometer depending on time and zone.
Why are Highway 407 tolls so expensive?
The private 407 ETR section operates under a 99-year lease with unlimited toll-setting authority. The original plan to eliminate tolls after construction costs were recovered was abandoned after privatization.
What's the difference between Highway 407 and 407 ETR?
Highway 407 ETR is the privately-operated western section (Burlington to Pickering) with variable tolls. Highway 407 East was the government-owned eastern section, now toll-free since June 2025.
Ontario vs. Regional Toll Systems
| Province/State | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Electronic toll highway | $0.23-0.85/km | GTA corridor |
| Quebec | Bridge tolls | $3.25-4.00/crossing | Montreal bridges |
| Nova Scotia | Bridge tolls | $1.00-4.50/crossing | Halifax bridges |
| New York | E-ZPass + Cash | $0.06-0.15/mile | Thruway system |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Highway 407 ETR - Detailed private section information
- Highway 407 East - Eastern extension (toll-free since 2025)
- Toronto Toll Roads - Complete GTA toll information
- Ontario Transponder - Transponder setup and management
- Pay Toll Ontario - Payment methods and procedures
- Ontario Truck Tolls - Commercial vehicle information
Border Crossing Facilities:
- Detroit-Windsor Tunnel - Underground US-Canada crossing
- Ambassador Bridge - Major Windsor-Detroit bridge
- Gordie Howe International Bridge - Opening fall 2025
- Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge - Northern crossing
Official Operators:
- 407 ETR Customer Service: 1-800-407-0407 - Private section operations
- Highway 407 Information: 1-800-ONT-ROAD - Government-owned sections
- Ministry of Transportation Ontario: General highway information
- Service Ontario: License plate renewal and vehicle registration
