Powhite Parkway Virginia Complete Guide: SR 76, Richmond Toll Road, Rates & Payment 2025
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Powhite Parkway Virginia Complete Guide
System: Traditional toll road with cash and E-ZPass payment
Operator: Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA), Virginia DOT
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Length: 13 miles (SR 652 in Chesterfield County to I-195 in Richmond)
Technology: Mixed payment - cash lanes, E-ZPass lanes, ramp toll plazas
Do I Need E-ZPass for Powhite Parkway? 2025 Update
No, E-ZPass is not mandatory for Powhite Parkway. Unlike Virginia's Express Lanes, Powhite Parkway maintains traditional toll collection with both cash and E-ZPass options available.
Payment Options:
- E-ZPass: 90 cents at main toll plaza (discounted rate)
- Cash payment: $1.00 at main toll plaza (quarters required due to older machines)
- Exact change required: During overnight hours when toll booths are unmanned
- No license plate billing: Cash or E-ZPass only, no video tolling
2025 Update: VDOT announced plans to eliminate the 75-cent toll on Powhite Parkway Extension by late 2026 or early 2027 once construction bonds are paid off. Current debt balance was $7.9 million as of October 2024.
Powhite Parkway Toll Costs: Current Rates
Powhite Parkway uses traditional fixed toll rates with separate charges at mainline plazas and various ramp toll plazas throughout the system.
Current Toll Rates by Location (2025)
| Location | E-ZPass Rate | Cash Rate | 2023 Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Toll Plaza (Richmond) | $0.90 | $1.00 | Increased from $0.70 |
| Forest Hill Ramp Plazas | $0.90 | $1.00 | Increased from $0.70 |
| Douglasdale Road Ramps | $0.45 | $0.50 | Increased from $0.35 |
| Powhite Extension Main Plaza | $0.75 | $0.75 | Elimination planned 2026-2027 |
| US 60 (Midlothian Turnpike) Ramps | $0.25 | $0.25 | No change |
| Courthouse Road Ramps | $0.50 | $0.50 | No change |
Vehicle Classification & Axle-Based Pricing
Powhite Parkway uses axle-based toll rates with four classifications:
- 2-axle vehicles: Cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, motorcycles (rates shown above)
- 3-axle vehicles: Small trucks, vehicles with trailers (higher rates apply)
- 4-axle vehicles: Medium trucks, large RVs (higher rates apply)
- 5+ axle vehicles: Large trucks, tractor-trailers (highest rates apply)
How to Pay Powhite Parkway Tolls
Powhite Parkway offers traditional toll collection with multiple payment options:
1. E-ZPass Electronic Payment:
- Virginia E-ZPass required for discounted rates
- Open Road Tolling lanes available (drive-through without stopping)
- 6 Express E-ZPass lanes at main toll plaza (3 each direction)
- Compatible with other E-ZPass systems but Virginia rates apply only to Virginia E-ZPass
2. Cash Payment:
- Available at manned toll booths during regular hours
- Exact change required during overnight hours
- Quarters only for coin machines (older machines don't accept dimes/nickels)
- 14 physical toll lanes at main plaza plus Express E-ZPass lanes
3. No License Plate Billing:
- Powhite Parkway does not offer license plate toll billing
- Must have E-ZPass or exact change to use the roadway
- VDOT issues violation notices for unpaid tolls
Recent Changes (2025)
2023 Toll Rate Increases (Still Current):
- Main toll plaza: Increased from $0.70 to $0.90 (E-ZPass) and $1.00 (cash)
- First toll increase since 2008 (15-year gap)
- Douglasdale Road ramps: Increased from $0.35 to $0.45 (E-ZPass), $0.50 (cash)
- Necessary to offset pandemic revenue losses and rising maintenance costs
Upcoming Extension Toll Elimination:
- Powhite Parkway Extension (VDOT section) toll to be eliminated late 2026 or early 2027
- $7.9 million remaining debt balance as of October 2024
- Once bonds are paid off, the 75-cent toll will be removed permanently
- Will save drivers approximately $275 annually for daily commuters
Infrastructure Improvements:
- Phase 1 of Powhite Extension widening project underway ($170 million investment)
- Extension from Route 288 to Woolridge Road planned
- Widening from 2 to 4 lanes for improved traffic distribution
- Enhanced maintenance program funded by 2023 toll increases
Route Description & Access Points
Southern Terminus (Chesterfield County):
- SR 652 (Old Hundred Road) and SR 754 (Charter Colony Parkway)
- Connection to SR 288 (Powhite Extension begins here)
- Courthouse Road access with ramp toll plaza ($0.50)
- VDOT-maintained extension with separate toll collection
Major Interchanges:
- US 60 (Midlothian Turnpike) - Cloverleaf interchange with collector-distributor lanes
- SR 686 (Jahnke Road) - Partial cloverleaf interchange
- SR 150 (Chippenham Parkway) - Major interchange with flyover ramps
- Main toll plaza (staggered for each direction) with 20 total lanes
James River Crossing:
- Powhite Parkway Bridge (0.4 miles long)
- Ten-lane roadway crossing James River and CSX railway
- Forest Hill Avenue interchange with ramp toll plazas
- Douglasdale Road ramps north of river ($0.45 E-ZPass, $0.50 cash)
Northern Terminus (Richmond):
- I-195 (Downtown Expressway) connection
- Cary Street ramps for downtown Richmond access
- Connection to SR 195 (Downtown Expressway) eastbound
- RMTA-maintained section (3.4 miles from Chippenham to Cary Street)
Planning Your Journey
Traffic Patterns & Usage:
- Nearly 90,000 vehicles daily, rising to 100,000+ on peak days
- One of Richmond's most heavily traveled corridors
- Major commuter route between Chesterfield County and Richmond
- Heavy usage during morning and evening rush hours
Cost Considerations:
- Full-length trip: $0.90-$1.65 depending on entry/exit points and payment method
- Daily commuting costs: $1.80-$3.30 roundtrip
- Annual savings with E-ZPass: $25-50 for regular users
- Extension toll elimination will save $275+ annually starting 2026-2027
Alternative Routes:
- US 60 (Midlothian Turnpike) - Toll-free but slower with traffic signals
- SR 150 (Chippenham Parkway) - Toll-free circumferential route
- US 1/301 - Toll-free but congested arterial route
- I-95 to I-64 - Longer toll-free interstate route
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to use Powhite Parkway?
For a typical car trip, you'll pay $0.90 with E-ZPass or $1.00 with cash at the main toll plaza, plus additional ramp tolls ranging from $0.25-$0.50 depending on your entry and exit points.
Can I pay with credit cards or license plate billing?
No, Powhite Parkway only accepts E-ZPass or cash payment. There is no license plate billing or credit card payment available. You must have exact change during overnight hours.
When will the Powhite Extension toll be eliminated?
VDOT plans to eliminate the 75-cent Extension toll by late 2026 or early 2027 once the remaining $7.9 million in construction bonds is paid off. This will provide permanent savings for Extension users.
Why did tolls increase in 2023?
RMTA increased tolls for the first time since 2008 to offset pandemic revenue losses and rising maintenance costs. Operating expenses increased 23.3% since 2008 due to higher material costs for concrete, asphalt, and steel.
Does my E-ZPass from other states get the discount?
E-ZPass from other states works on Powhite Parkway, but Virginia E-ZPass rates only apply to Virginia-issued transponders. Out-of-state E-ZPass users pay cash rates.
What coins do the toll machines accept?
Only quarters are accepted at coin machines because the older equipment cannot process dimes and nickels. Make sure to have quarters available for exact change payment, especially during overnight hours.
Powhite Parkway vs. Regional Toll Roads
| Toll Road | Length | Typical Cost | Payment Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powhite Parkway | 13 miles | $0.90-$1.65 | E-ZPass, Cash |
| Downtown Expressway | 2.5 miles | $0.90-$1.00 | E-ZPass, Cash |
| Pocahontas Parkway | 8.8 miles | $3.00-$4.85 | E-ZPass, Cash, Credit |
| Dulles Toll Road | 14 miles | $2.50-$4.50 | E-ZPass, License plate |
| I-95 Express Lanes | 40+ miles | $0.50-$35 (dynamic) | E-ZPass only |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Virginia Toll Roads - Complete Virginia toll system overview
- Downtown Expressway - Richmond's east-west toll connector
- Pocahontas Parkway - Richmond area bypass route
- SR 288 - Connection point for Powhite Extension
- Chippenham Parkway - Major toll-free alternative
- E-ZPass Virginia - Electronic payment system
- Richmond Toll Roads - RMTA expressway system
Richmond Area Transportation:
- James River Bridge Crossings - Richmond area river crossings
- RMTA Expressway System - Complete authority overview
- Chesterfield County Transportation - Regional connections
- Richmond Metropolitan Area - Regional transportation network
- Boulevard Bridge - RMTA-operated James River crossing
Regional Toll Systems:
- US Toll Roads - National toll road network
- Virginia Traditional Toll Roads - Non-Express Lanes systems
- North Carolina Toll Roads - Southern neighbor system
- Maryland Toll Roads - Northern neighbor system
Official Resources:
- Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority: (804) 523-3300
- Virginia Department of Transportation: 1-800-FOR-ROAD
- E-ZPass Virginia Customer Service: 1-877-762-7824
- RMTA Online: rmtaonline.org
