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Florida Toll Roads, Bridges & Express Lanes Complete Guide

System: SunPass electronic toll collection (preferred) + Toll-by-Plate + limited cash
Coverage: 734+ miles statewide - Florida Turnpike (359 mi), CFX, GMX (formerly MDX), THEA, plus numerous county-operated bridges and causeways
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: SunPass RFID transponders (Mini sticker / PRO portable), license plate cameras, all-electronic open road tolling
Operators: Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE/FDOT) - now directly manages Garcon Point Bridge after a 2022 state acquisition; Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX); Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX) - the current name for the roads formerly operated as MDX (SR-836, 874, 878, 924, 112), confirmed via FTE's own current page; Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA); plus independent county/special-district operators including Miami-Dade County (Rickenbacker, Venetian Causeway), Monroe County (Card Sound Bridge), Lee County (Sanibel Causeway), Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (Boca Grande Swing Bridge), Osceola County (Osceola Parkway), and Dunes CDD (Hammock Dunes Bridge)

Do I Need SunPass for Florida? 2026 Update

SunPass is not legally required - but it is essential for managed lanes (where it is the only option) and significantly cheaper everywhere else, including the many independently-operated county bridges scattered across the state. Florida Statute requires payment of tolls on any toll road used. SunPass customers always pay the lowest available toll rate in Florida - an average of 25% savings compared to Toll-by-Plate.

Key Reality: Florida leads the nation with over 734 miles of toll roads across the major systems (Turnpike, CFX, GMX, THEA), plus a dozen or more smaller, independently-operated toll bridges and causeways that don't fall under any of those big four authorities - Sanibel Causeway, Rickenbacker Causeway, Card Sound Bridge, Garcon Point Bridge, Gasparilla/Boca Grande Swing Bridge, Venetian Causeway, Osceola Parkway, and Hammock Dunes Bridge among them. Without SunPass, Toll-by-Plate invoices are sent monthly with an administrative charge per invoice (typically $2.50-$3.00 depending on facility). Toll-by-Plate cannot be used on Florida Managed Lanes - SunPass or another compatible transponder is required there.

2026 Update: Florida Turnpike Enterprise completed its all-electronic tolling (AET) conversion, making SunPass or Toll-by-Plate the only payment options systemwide on the Turnpike. Annual toll rate indexing adjustments took effect July 1, 2025. Garcon Point Bridge is now directly managed as part of Florida's Turnpike System, following the state's 2022 acquisition of the bridge - it is no longer an independently-financed facility. The roads long known as "MDX" (Dolphin Expressway SR-836, Airport Expressway SR-112, Gratigny Parkway SR-924, Don Shula Expressway SR-874, Snapper Creek Expressway SR-878) are now referred to by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise's own current page as "GMX" (Greater Miami Expressway Agency) facilities.

Florida Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)

Florida Turnpike - Key Mainline Rates (Effective July 1, 2025)

Location / Plaza SunPass (2-axle) Toll-by-Plate (2-axle) Notes
Central FL Mainline Plaza (MP 6) $2.17 $3.78 Includes CFX portion
Average per-mile rate (full Turnpike) ~$0.067/mile ~$0.087/mile SunPass saves ~25% vs Toll-by-Plate
Miami to Wildwood (full Turnpike, 312 mi) ~$20-$25 ~$27-$32 + admin fee Cumulative of all plazas
HEFT (Homestead Extension, 47 mi) Distance-based Distance-based + admin South Miami-Dade to Florida Keys access

Major Independent Bridges & Causeways (2026) - Not Part of Turnpike, CFX, or GMX

Florida has numerous smaller toll facilities operated independently by counties or special districts, each with its own rate structure. These are easy to miss because they don't belong to any of the state's major tolling authorities.

Facility Operator Rate (2-axle car) Notes
Sanibel Causeway Lee County $6.00 (SunPass) Westbound only (toward Sanibel); return trip free; +$3.00 admin fee for Toll-by-Plate; accepts LeeWay, SunPass, E-ZPass
Rickenbacker Causeway Miami-Dade County $2.25 (SunPass) - possibly stale, sourced from 2018 Southbound only; return trip free; SunPass/plate only - no cash, no C-Pass
Garcon Point Bridge (Toll 281) Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (state-acquired 2022) $2.30 (SunPass) / $2.75 (Toll-by-Plate) Both directions; Santa Rosa County, East Bay crossing
Card Sound Bridge (Toll) Monroe County $2.13 (SunPass, 2-axle); $4.08 (3-axle); +$1.35/additional axle Cashless (Toll-by-Plate) since Oct 20, 2018, after original plaza destroyed by Hurricane Matthew; toll waived during hurricane evacuations of the Keys
Gasparilla Bridge (Boca Grande Swing Bridge) Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA) - state special district since 1998 $6.00 (island-bound only) $5.50/axle for trucks, RVs, buses, trailers; $3.00 for bicycles; SunPass, NC Quick Pass, Peach Pass, LeeWay, E-Pass, and its own GIBA/BG Pass all accepted
Venetian Way Causeway Miami-Dade County Public Works $3.25 (SunPass) Single toll plaza on Biscayne Island; connects Miami to Miami Beach
Osceola Parkway (CR 522) Osceola County Public Works Rate not independently confirmed in this review Only partially tolled - just the section between SR-417 and a plaza east of Shingle Creek; most of the 17.5-mile road (connecting Walt Disney World to I-4 and the Turnpike) is free at-grade
Hammock Dunes Parkway Bridge Dunes Community Development District (CDD) Rate not independently confirmed in this review Built 1988; connects Palm Coast to I-95; uses its own Express Card account system - check dunescdd.org directly
Mid-Bay Bridge (SR-293) Mid-Bay Bridge Authority $2.50 SunPass + cash accepted; Destin/Fort Walton Beach area

Major Regional Expressway Systems (2026)

Facility Region SunPass Rate Pricing Type
Florida Turnpike (SR-91, Ronald Reagan) Statewide (Miami to Wildwood) ~$0.067/mile avg Distance-based, barrier plazas
I-4 Express Lanes (SR-400) Orlando $0.50+ per segment (dynamic) Dynamic - SunPass required
CFX (SR-408, 417, 429, 414, 451, 528 including Martin Andersen Beachline East/West) Central Florida / Orlando $0.25-$3.00+ per plaza Fixed rates per plaza
GMX - formerly MDX (SR-836 Dolphin, 874 Don Shula, 878 Snapper Creek, 924 Gratigny, 112 Airport Expressway) Miami-Dade $0.25-$2.50 per plaza Fixed barrier tolls; confirmed rebranded to GMX per Florida's Turnpike Enterprise's own current page
Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway (SR-618) Tampa $0.25-$2.00 per plaza THEA operated
Sawgrass Expressway (SR-869) Broward County $0.75-$3.00 per plaza Broward MPO operated; part of Florida's Turnpike System per floridasturnpike.com
Alligator Alley (I-75, Everglades Parkway) Southwest Florida (Naples to Ft. Lauderdale) Distance-based Part of Florida's Turnpike System

To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Florida toll roads, use the TollGuru Florida toll calculator:

How to Pay Florida Tolls

1. SunPass (Recommended - always the lowest rate):

  • SunPass Mini ($4.99): Sticker permanently affixed to windshield; works in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas
  • SunPass PRO ($14.95): Portable with suction cups; works in Florida plus all 19 E-ZPass network states (20 total states)
  • One account works on all Florida Turnpike, CFX, GMX, and THEA roads, plus most independent bridges (Sanibel via LeeWay reciprocity, Rickenbacker, Card Sound, Garcon Point, Gasparilla via reciprocity, Venetian, Mid-Bay)
  • SunPass required for all Managed Lanes (I-4 Express, etc.) - Toll-by-Plate not accepted on managed lanes
  • Available at CVS, Walgreens, AAA, and the SunPass website
  • Compatible interoperable transponders accepted: E-ZPass (via SunPass PRO), Peach Pass (GA), K-TAG (KS), NC Quick Pass, TollTag (TX), PIKEPASS (OK)

2. Toll-by-Plate (TOLL-BY-PLATE):

  • Cameras photograph plates; invoice mailed monthly for 30-day rolling period plus an administrative charge ($2.50-$3.00 depending on facility)
  • Costs ~25-30% more than SunPass on average
  • Cannot be used on Managed Lanes - violation results
  • Rental car companies typically set up automatic Toll-by-Plate billing with daily admin fees ($3-15/day) - confirm before renting

3. Local/Independent Passes (Bridge-Specific):

  • LeeWay: Lee County's own program, offers resident discounts on Sanibel Causeway and other Lee County facilities
  • GIBA/BG Pass: Required account system for frequent Gasparilla/Boca Grande Swing Bridge users, offering a discounted trip rate
  • Express Card: Dunes CDD's own program for Hammock Dunes Bridge

4. Cash (Limited):

  • Still accepted at some traditional Turnpike mainline plazas and ramp plazas
  • Mid-Bay Bridge: cash accepted at some lanes
  • Rickenbacker Causeway and Card Sound Bridge: cash NOT accepted - electronic/plate only
  • Florida's AET conversion is nearly complete - cash options continue to shrink

Recent Changes (2026)

July 1, 2025 - Annual Toll Rate Indexing:

  • Florida Turnpike Enterprise adjusted toll rates statewide via annual indexing as mandated by Florida law
  • New rates effective July 1, 2025 - next adjustment expected July 1, 2026
  • Rate indexing is tied to the National Consumer Price Index (CPI) per Florida Statute

Structural Changes to Miami-Dade Roads:

  • The roads formerly known as "MDX" (SR-836, 874, 878, 924, 112) are now referred to by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise's own current site as "GMX facility" - the Greater Miami Expressway Agency

Garcon Point Bridge State Acquisition:

  • The state acquired Garcon Point Bridge in 2022; it is now directly managed as part of Florida's Turnpike System

All-Electronic Tolling Completion:

  • FDOT's AET conversion program is effectively complete across the Florida Turnpike System
  • Nearly all Turnpike sections now operate without staffed cash booths
  • Toll Enforcement Invoices now sent monthly (30-day rolling period) - not per trip

SunPass / Transponder Updates:

  • SunPass Loaner Program available for Orlando airport (MCO) visitors - free temporary SunPass available at the airport
  • SunPass Mobile app continues to expand features for account management
  • Scam alert: SunPass does not send payment requests via text message - any such text is fraudulent

Planning Your Journey

Key regional costs (SunPass, 2-axle car):

  • Miami to Orlando (Florida Turnpike): approximately $17-$22
  • Orlando to Tampa (Florida Turnpike + I-4): approximately $5-$10
  • Orlando airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World (SR-528 + FL Turnpike): approximately $3-$5
  • Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach (I-95 Express + FL Turnpike): approximately $4-$8
  • Fort Myers to Sanibel Island (Sanibel Causeway): $6.00 one-way (free return)
  • Key Largo access via Card Sound Bridge (alternative to US-1): $2.13 for a car
  • Placida to Boca Grande (Gasparilla Bridge): $6.00 island-bound (free return)

Motorist assistance: Call *347 (*FHP) for 24/7 roadside assistance on any Florida Turnpike System road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use E-ZPass in Florida?

Only via SunPass PRO, which is compatible with the full E-ZPass network (19 additional states). Standard SunPass Mini only works in Florida plus Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. Standard E-ZPass transponders from other states do not work in Florida without SunPass PRO.

What happens if I miss a Florida toll?

Cameras record your plate and a Toll Enforcement Invoice is mailed to the registered vehicle owner for all tolls incurred in a 30-day period plus an administrative fee. Failure to pay is a moving violation per Florida Statute. Unpaid tolls can block vehicle registration renewal.

Do rental cars have SunPass?

Most major rental companies offer a toll program for Florida that automatically processes tolls. They charge the actual toll amount plus a daily admin fee ($3-15/day that the vehicle is driven on a toll road, regardless of how many tolls). Confirm the specific policy before departing. At Orlando MCO airport, a free SunPass loaner is also available for short-term visitors.

Is MDX still the correct name for the Miami-Dade toll roads?

Florida's Turnpike Enterprise's own current site now labels these roads (SR-836, 874, 878, 924, 112) as "GMX facility" - referring to the Greater Miami Expressway Agency. "MDX" may still be commonly used or recognized during this naming transition, but GMX is the more current official terminology.

Are hurricane evacuation tolls waived in Florida?

On Card Sound Bridge specifically, the toll is waived during hurricane evacuations of the Florida Keys or when US-1 is impassable. Policies on other facilities vary by operator and event - check each bridge's official site during an active storm.

Florida vs. Neighboring States (2026)

State System Tag Network Size
Florida Turnpike + expressways + managed lanes + numerous independent bridges SunPass 734+ miles - nation's largest
Georgia Express lanes only (HOT lanes) Peach Pass (SunPass compatible) 300+ miles express lanes
Alabama 3 toll bridges only Freedom Pass only 3 bridges; no E-ZPass/SunPass

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