I-66 Tolls Climb To Record $44 During Morning Commute

VIENNA, VA—Tolls on Interstate 66 inside the Beltway reached another new high during the Thursday morning commute. Virginia Department of Transportation confirmed drivers encountered tolls of $44 for six minutes beginning at 8:24 a.m from the roughly 10-mile stretch from the Beltway to DC.

The new record toll beats the $40 price charged Tuesday, Dec. 5, the second day tolling had been in effect. Solo drivers are charged tolls Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. for all eastbound lanes and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. for westbound lanes. Anyone carpooling with an E-Z Pass Flex set to HOV-2 does not pay a toll.

VDOT spokeswoman Jennifer McCord told The Washington Post congestion into DC and an incident on Interstate 395 affected the toll price.

According to data from the first four days of tolling, the majority of solo drivers paid more than $10 during the morning commute. However, just 28 of 14,548 vehicle trips during the Dec. 5 morning commute were charged $40.

The highest toll prices were seen during the morning commutes while afternoon prices were considerably lower. Data shows afternoon prices averaged around $4, peaking at $21.50 Thursday, Dec. 7. The number of cars using the road was higher during the afternoons.

Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne has defended the toll prices, citing improved travel times and saying saying they encourage alternatives to solo driving in the busy I-66 corridor. Toll prices change every few minutes, calculated to ensure the average speed remains at 55 mph. Last week, speeds remained at 55 to 60 mph each day for the morning commute, compared to speeds rarely reaching 45 mph during the same time in December 2016.

Drivers can check real-time toll prices here.

Carpooling drivers using the road for free averaged 30-45 percent during the first few days of tolling. Others are charged through E-Z Pass accounts by passing under the new toll scanners. Drivers without E-Z pass are not permitted to use the road. If they do, a camera will capture their license plate number and they will be billed with an extra charge.

Previously, 66 inside the Beltway was only open during rush hour to cars with two or more passengers. The interstate is the fastest option for commuters in this area of Northern Virginia. Now some drivers outraged over the toll prices have turned to alternates like Route 50 and 7, which have stoplights.

What do you think of the record $44 toll price? Let us know in the comments.

Image via VDOT