Driving out of Boston means crossing tunnels or the Mass Pike at some point. The Sumner, Callahan, and Ted Williams tunnels and I‑90 are all cashless, so your plates or transponder handle the charge automatically. That’s easy in a rental—just know how the billing works and how to keep costs in check.
When you book car rental in Boston, tolls are typically billed to the vehicle’s plate and passed to your reservation. Hola Car Rentals keeps it simple with clear terms and even cashback on tolls on selected itineraries, so you’re never guessing what you’ll pay.
If you prefer UK phrasing, the same guidance applies to Boston car hire. Whether you’re heading west on the Pike, north on I‑93, or south on Route 3 to the South Shore, expect open‑road tolling—no stopping, no booths.
To estimate charges, look at your route and decide where you’ll cross tunnels and turnpikes. Choosing a smaller vehicle helps with city parking, while an SUV makes weekend ski runs easier; browse premium and SUV selections or keep it lean with value‑focused options and watch your overall trip budget.
Quick answers
- Do I need my own E‑ZPass? No. Plate billing works fine; just review your agreement for any admin fees.
- Are tunnels more expensive than surface routes? Sometimes, but they can save 20–30 minutes at peak times.
- Will I see charges right away? Toll postings can appear a few days after travel. Keep your receipts.
- What if I’m leaving Massachusetts? Neighboring states also use cashless tolling on major roads.
In Massachusetts, the most common toll moments for visitors are the airport tunnels, the Mass Pike stretches around the city, and the Tobin Bridge if you’re staying in Charlestown or heading toward the North Shore. You’ll drive through at normal speed—overhead gantries capture the plate and the toll posts to your agreement soon after.
Some renters carry their own transponder. That works, but it’s optional; be sure the device is registered to your personal plate and is mounted exactly as directed so it reads cleanly in tunnels. If you leave it at home, plate billing is perfectly fine.
Keep an eye on one‑way charges. If you’re picking up downtown and returning at the airport—or vice versa—compare the overall total with identical pickup/return points. Sometimes the faster airport routing via tunnels is worth a few extra dollars in tolls because you avoid surface traffic.
Route tactics help. When heading north on I‑93 at rush hour, timing a break before the tunnel can let traffic ebb a bit; for South Shore trips, choosing Route 3 outside the peak gets you to the Cape bridges before backups form. A little pre‑planning makes tolls just another line item rather than a surprise.
Hola Car Rentals is built for clarity: All‑Inclusive+ rates with maximum coverage on selected itineraries, travel‑friendly payment options, and multilingual support if you run into a billing question after your trip. Tolls shouldn’t be a mystery—and with us, they aren’t.
If you’re taking longer loops—say Portsmouth to Portland or a Berkshires weekend—expect a mix of tolled and untolled highways. The system is consistent: you just drive, and gantries log your passage. Keep an eye on your booking inbox; statements arrive with clear date and time stamps so you can match them to your itinerary.
Some agreements include a per‑day toll administration fee that kicks in only when you incur a toll. If your plans are entirely local and you’ll avoid tunnels, you may never trigger it. If you’re crossing multiple gantries each day, the convenience of hands‑off billing is usually worth it.
When you’re returning the vehicle, take a quick photo of the odometer and fuel gauge and note the last tolled segment you used. It’s not required, but it makes any after‑trip questions simple to resolve with support.
With Hola Car Rentals, you get straightforward pricing and support that speaks your language. Add the route you expect to drive, and we’ll help you choose the right car and plan for tolls—so you spend more time exploring and less time worrying about logistics.
Book today and enjoy Boston roads with confidence, knowing your tolls and coverage are squared away with Hola Car Rentals.
