Indiana Toll Roads Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Turnpike and RiverLink 2026
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Indiana Toll Roads & Bridges Complete Guide
System: E-ZPass + cash (Indiana Toll Road) + RiverLink electronic (Louisville bridges) — transitioning to all-electronic by 2027
Coverage: Indiana East–West Toll Road (157 miles, I-80/I-90) + 3 RiverLink Louisville bridges + Cline Avenue Bridge
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass RFID transponders, I-Pass compatible, cash booth lanes (transitioning), Pay-by-Plate for RiverLink
Operators: Indiana Toll Road Concession Company (ITRCC / IFM Investors), RiverLink (KY-IN joint), Cline Avenue Bridge LLC
Do I Need E-ZPass for Indiana? 2026 Update
E-ZPass is not required on the Indiana Toll Road — cash is still accepted at most toll plazas. However, E-ZPass provides small savings (primarily on the Westpoint barrier) and faster passage. For the Louisville RiverLink bridges, an electronic transponder saves 50% versus pay-by-plate rates.
Key Reality: Indiana is moving aggressively toward cashless tolling. In 2026, Indiana's legislature passed House Bill 1319 mandating all-electronic tolling (AET) statewide — new toll projects after July 1, 2026 must open cashless, and existing roads must complete the AET transition by December 31, 2027. Setting up E-ZPass now locks in the lower electronic rate before invoice-based rates rise significantly.
2026 Updates: Indiana Toll Road current rates effective July 1, 2025 (annual adjustments under the concession agreement). Wikipedia confirms January 2026 through rates: Portage to Eastpoint (full ticket section) $11.44 E-ZPass / $11.40 cash; Westpoint barrier $4.77 E-ZPass / $4.80 cash. RiverLink selected TransCore as its new Toll Service Provider in January 2026 under a 6-year $146 million contract — billing backlogs and customer service issues from the previous provider are being addressed. House Bill 1319 (2026 legislative session) mandates full AET transition by end of 2027.
Indiana Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
Indiana Toll Road — Segment Rates (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Segment / Barrier | E-ZPass / ETC Rate (2-axle) | Cash Rate (2-axle) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westpoint Barrier (I-90/I-80 western end near Portage) | $4.77 | $4.80 | Barrier toll; collected in addition to ticket segment |
| Portage → Eastpoint (full ticket section, 127 miles) | $11.44 | $11.40 | Ticket system; pay based on entry/exit; near-identical E-ZPass/cash |
| Full length (Illinois border to Ohio border, 157 miles) | ~$16.21 total | ~$16.20 total | Westpoint barrier + full ticket section combined |
| Average trip (regional commuter, ~$4.00 typical) | ~$4.00 | ~$4.00 | Calumet/Gary/Portage commuters — most common usage |
Note on Indiana Toll Road cash vs. E-ZPass: Unlike most US toll systems, the Indiana Toll Road currently charges nearly the same rate for cash and E-ZPass on the ticket (distance-based) section. The E-ZPass advantage is minimal on this road today — approximately $0.03 per crossing at Westpoint. However, as Pay-by-Plate rates rise after the AET transition, the gap will grow significantly. Setting up E-ZPass now is strongly recommended.
RiverLink — Louisville Ohio River Bridges (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Vehicle / Payment Type | Rate per Crossing (2-axle) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RiverLink transponder (local or E-ZPass) | $2.68 | 50% savings vs. Pay-by-Plate; all E-ZPass transponders accepted |
| Pay-by-Plate (no transponder) | $5.36 | Double the transponder rate; invoice mailed to registered owner |
| Frequent user discount (40+ crossings/month) | $1.34 per crossing after first 40 | Personal accounts in good standing; 50% credit on crossings 41+ |
| Trucks (5+ axles) | Up to $16.01 (transponder) | Scales by axle count; Pay-by-Plate higher |
RiverLink Rate Adjustment: Rates increased by 2.5% effective July 1, 2025 (April 2025 CPI was 2.3%, so the bi-state minimum 2.5% applied). Current rates are valid through June 30, 2026. The next adjustment will apply from July 1, 2026.
Three tolled Louisville bridges: I-65 Abraham Lincoln Bridge (northbound), I-65 John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge (southbound), SR-265/KY-841 Lewis and Clark Bridge (East End Crossing, both directions). Free alternatives: Sherman Minton Bridge (I-264) and Clark Memorial Bridge (US-31) — add 10–20 minutes.
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Indiana toll roads, use the TollGuru Indiana toll calculator:
How to Pay Indiana Tolls
1. E-ZPass / I-Pass (Indiana Toll Road):
- Any E-ZPass transponder from 20 member states works on the Indiana Toll Road at the E-ZPass rate
- Illinois I-PASS is also accepted (compatible system)
- Get E-ZPass at indianatollroad.org or at any ITRCC travel plaza
- Minimum $35 prepaid deposit required to open an Indiana Toll Road E-ZPass account
2. RiverLink (Louisville Bridges):
- All-electronic system — no cash accepted at the bridges
- RiverLink local transponder: free (one per registered vehicle); works on all 3 Louisville bridges only
- RiverLink E-ZPass transponder: $15; works on Louisville bridges plus all 20 E-ZPass states
- All E-ZPass transponders (including I-PASS) are accepted at Louisville bridges at the transponder rate
- Open account at riverlink.com or call 1-855-RIV-LINK
- Fee Forgiveness Program: first-time late fee waiver per license plate — contact RiverLink to apply
- RiverLink scam alert: fraudulent texts impersonating RiverLink are circulating — never pay via text; use riverlink.com or call the customer service number directly
3. Cash (Indiana Toll Road only — while still available):
- Cash and credit cards accepted at staffed toll plazas on the Indiana Toll Road through at least 2027
- After the AET transition (mandated by end of 2027), cash lanes will close — all payments will become electronic or invoice-based
Recent Changes (2026)
House Bill 1319 — All-Electronic Tolling Mandate:
- Passed in Indiana's 2026 legislative session — new toll projects after July 1, 2026 must open cashless
- Existing toll roads must complete AET transition by December 31, 2027
- Invoice-based Pay-by-Plate rates will rise to cover higher processing costs post-transition
- Setting up E-ZPass now is strongly recommended before the transition eliminates cash as an option
RiverLink New Service Provider (January 2026):
- Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges joint board selected TransCore as new Toll Service Provider under a 6-year, $146 million contract
- New cloud-based Integrity Back Office System capable of handling 100,000 daily crossings
- Improved image recognition and invoicing accuracy addressing past billing backlogs
- Walk-up customer service centers remain open in Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN
Indiana Toll Road Capital Improvements (Ongoing):
- Major infrastructure improvements underway in LaGrange and Steuben counties (northeast Indiana)
- Annual toll rate adjustments continue per the private concession agreement — next adjustment July 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do motorcycles pay the same rate as cars on the Indiana Toll Road?
Yes. Motorcycles are classified as 2-axle vehicles and pay the same Class 2 rate as standard passenger cars on the Indiana Toll Road.
What are the toll-free alternatives to the Louisville bridges?
The Sherman Minton Bridge (I-264) and the Clark Memorial Bridge (US-31) cross the Ohio River near Louisville at no charge. Both add approximately 10–20 minutes to most cross-river trips compared to the tolled bridges.
What is the RiverLink Fee Forgiveness Program?
RiverLink allows one-time per license plate waiver of all accumulated late fees, with past tolls retroactively lowered to the transponder rate, if the driver opens an account and sets up a transponder. Contact RiverLink at 1-855-RIV-LINK to apply.
Indiana vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 157-mi turnpike + Louisville bridges | E-ZPass / I-PASS; RiverLink | Cash phasing out; AET mandate by Dec 2027 |
| Illinois | 294-mile all-electronic tollway | I-PASS / E-ZPass | Already fully cashless; rate increase pending June 2026 |
| Kentucky | Louisville bridges (shared with Indiana RiverLink) | RiverLink / E-ZPass | Same bridges; see Kentucky toll guide |
| Ohio | Ohio Turnpike (241 miles); E-ZPass + cash | E-ZPass | Connects to Indiana Toll Road at eastern border |
| Michigan | No toll roads | N/A | Toll-free I-94 is alternative east–west route through Michigan |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- Indiana Toll Calculator - Calculate tolls for any Indiana route
- Indiana Toll Road (ITRCC) - Official toll rates, E-ZPass, travel plazas, and construction updates
- Indiana Toll Road Rate Schedule - Current rates effective July 1, 2025
- RiverLink - Louisville bridge account, rates, transponder signup; phone: 1-855-RIV-LINK
- Kentucky Toll Guide - Kentucky side of RiverLink bridges
- Illinois Tollway Guide - Connecting west from Chicago Skyway to Indiana border
