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Minnesota Toll Roads and Express Lanes Complete Guide

System: E-ZPass Minnesota express lanes (formerly MnPASS) + 1 cash-only border toll bridge; no traditional toll highways
Coverage: Minneapolis-St. Paul metro express lanes (I-394, I-35W, I-35E); International Falls Bridge (to Ontario). The Fargo-Moorhead Bridge is toll-free and not a current toll facility - see note below
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass Minnesota switchable Flex transponders (HOV dial), dynamic pricing updated every 3 minutes; legacy MnPASS tags still work
Operator: Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)

Do I Need E-ZPass for Minnesota? 2026 Update

No. Minnesota's express lanes are completely optional - free general purpose lanes always run alongside the tolled express lanes. If you travel with 2 or more people (HOV 2+), drive a bus or motorcycle, or travel outside peak hours, you pay nothing in the express lanes. Solo drivers pay $0.25-$8.00 only during peak hours (6-10 AM and 3-7 PM weekdays) when they choose to use the express lanes.

Key Reality: Minnesota has NO traditional toll roads. All Minnesota interstates, highways, and bridges within the state are toll-free except for optional express lanes in the Twin Cities metro and one small cash-only international border bridge (International Falls). Express lanes are free approximately 90% of the time - only during weekday peak hours do solo drivers pay a toll.

Fargo-Moorhead Bridge is NOT currently tolled: This bridge (Red River crossing between Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN) was privately operated with a $0.75 toll until a 2014 Cass County court ruling - affirmed by the North Dakota Supreme Court in 2015 - forced its transfer to the cities of Fargo and Moorhead without compensation. It has operated as a free municipal bridge for over a decade and is not part of Minnesota's current toll network. It does periodically close due to Red River flooding (most recently spring 2023), which is unrelated to tolling.

2026 Update: MnPASS was rebranded E-ZPass Minnesota in August 2021 and is now interoperable with the full 19-state E-ZPass network. The I-394 reversible express lane bridge repair project (34 bridges between Highway 100 and I-94) that closed those lanes July-November 2025 has completed; monitor 511 Minnesota for current lane status heading into 2026. The I-494 express lane construction project (Highway 100 to I-35W) is in its 2023-2026 multi-phase construction; expect lane reductions in that corridor. Children and infants count toward the HOV 2+ requirement - one driver plus one child qualifies as HOV.

Minnesota Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)

Express lane tolls are dynamic - rates change every 3 minutes based on real-time traffic to maintain a free-flow speed of at least 45 mph. Rates are displayed on overhead LED signs before each entry point and refresh continuously. There is no fixed price schedule; rates shown here are typical ranges.

Express Lane Rate Ranges - Solo Drivers During Tolled Hours

Facility	Length	Toll Range (Solo, Peak)	Free Periods / Notes
I-394 Express Lanes (Minneapolis west suburbs)	~16 miles	$0.25-$8.00	Reversible section east of Hwy 100: always tolled for solo; concurrent flow west of Hwy 100: free off-peak
I-35W Express Lanes (Minneapolis south suburbs)	~8 miles (north segments; more with extensions)	$0.25-$8.00	North shoulder lane: always tolled when open; southern segments: free off-peak
I-35E Express Lanes (St. Paul east)	~8 miles	$0.25-$8.00	Free off-peak; peak: 6-10 AM and 3-7 PM weekdays
HOV 2+ / Buses / Motorcycles (all express lanes)	All lengths	FREE	All hours; E-ZPass Flex transponder set to HOV mode required; children count toward HOV
Average solo driver trip cost	-	~$1.06 per trip	Average across all trips including free off-peak periods

International Falls Bridge (Border Crossing to Ontario)

This is Minnesota's only remaining active toll bridge. Cash-only (US or Canadian dollars) at a staffed booth on the Canadian side; commuter cards offer a discount for frequent crossers. Rate figures for this bridge are difficult to verify independently since no official rate page could be located - treat any specific dollar amount as approximate and confirm at the booth.

I-394 Schedule - When Lanes Are Tolled

Segment	Direction	Tolled Hours
West of Hwy 100 (concurrent flow)	Eastbound	Weekdays 6-10 AM only
West of Hwy 100 (concurrent flow)	Westbound	Weekdays 2-7 PM only
East of Hwy 100 to downtown (reversible)	Eastbound (in operation 6 AM-1 PM)	Always tolled for solo when open (min $0.25)
East of Hwy 100 to downtown (reversible)	Westbound (in operation 2 PM-5 AM)	Always tolled for solo when open (min $0.25)

To calculate toll costs for Minnesota express lanes and the International Falls border bridge, use the TollGuru Minnesota toll calculator:

Minnesota Toll Calculator

How to Pay Minnesota Tolls

1. E-ZPass Minnesota / E-ZPass Flex Transponder (Express Lanes):

• Switchable E-ZPass Flex transponder with an occupancy dial (1, 2, 3+) - set to HOV mode before entering the lane to ride free when carpooling
• Out-of-state E-ZPass transponders also work in Minnesota at standard rates - however, they cannot switch to HOV mode and will always charge as solo drivers even when carpooling; remove the tag when carpooling to avoid charges
• Legacy MnPASS tags from before the 2021 rebranding continue to work in Minnesota only
• Open account at MnDOT E-ZPass Minnesota (dot.state.mn.us/ezpassmn) or call 1-866-397-2774
• Video tolling (without transponder): cameras photograph plate, bill mailed to registered owner at a higher rate

2. Cash (International Falls Bridge only):

• International Falls Bridge (Rainy River crossing to Fort Frances, Ontario): cash toll booth on the Canadian side; no E-ZPass accepted; US or Canadian dollars both accepted
• Commuter cards available at a discount for frequent crossers
• This is Minnesota's only remaining cash toll bridge - the Fargo-Moorhead Bridge has been toll-free since 2014/2015 (see note above) and is not part of the current toll network

Construction Impacts (2026)

I-394 Bridge Repair: The major bridge project repairing/replacing 34 bridges between Highway 100 and I-94 closed the I-394 reversible express lanes July-November 2025. Those lanes are expected to be back in full operation in 2026. Confirm current status at 511 Minnesota

I-494 Express Lane Construction (2023-2026): New express lanes under construction between Highway 100 and I-35W in the southwest metro. Current phase involves lane reductions, ramp closures, and bridge replacements. Expect slower travel through this corridor during construction periods; check 511 Minnesota for current conditions.

I-35W Burnsville Construction: The April-November 2025 construction that temporarily converted express lanes to regular lanes at Cliff Road south has concluded. The I-35W south shoulder lane and express lane network continues to serve Minneapolis commuters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to use Minnesota express lanes?

Only if you are a solo driver during peak hours (6-10 AM or 3-7 PM weekdays). HOV 2+, buses, and motorcycles are always free in express lanes. Outside peak hours, all express lanes are open and free for everyone, including solo drivers.

Does E-ZPass from another state work in Minnesota?

Yes, since the 2021 rebranding to E-ZPass Minnesota. However, out-of-state E-ZPass transponders always operate in solo-pay mode - they cannot switch to HOV mode. If you're carpooling, remove the out-of-state tag before entering the express lane to avoid being charged.

Does Minnesota have any toll roads outside Minneapolis-St. Paul?

No. Express lanes are only in the Twin Cities metro area. All other Minnesota highways, including I-35, I-90, I-94, US-10, and all state routes, are completely toll-free. The International Falls Bridge has a small cash toll but is not a highway toll road. The Fargo-Moorhead Bridge, despite its name, has been toll-free since a 2014/2015 court ruling and should not be counted as an active Minnesota toll facility.

Minnesota vs. Neighboring States (2026)

State	System	Tag	Notes
Minnesota	Express lanes only + 1 border bridge	E-ZPass Flex (HOV-switchable)	No traditional toll roads; HOV 2+ free; $0.25-$8 dynamic
Illinois	294-mile all-electronic tollway	I-PASS / E-ZPass	No cash; passenger rate increase pending June 2026
Wisconsin	No toll roads	N/A	Entirely toll-free; shares I-94 corridor with Minnesota
Iowa	No toll roads	N/A	Entirely toll-free; shares I-90/I-35 corridors

Useful Links & Resources

• US Toll Guide - All toll states overview
• Minnesota Toll Calculator - Calculate express lane tolls for Twin Cities routes
• E-ZPass Minnesota / MnDOT - Open account, manage transponder; phone: 1-866-397-2774
• 511 Minnesota - Real-time traffic, construction updates, express lane status
• I-394 Express Lanes - Complete I-394 schedule and pricing guide
• I-35W Express Lanes - Complete I-35W routes and pricing guide
• Fargo-Moorhead Bridge Guide - Full history of its 2014/2015 transition to toll-free status

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