Quick Summary:
- Open Waze settings, enable “Avoid toll roads”, then restart navigation.
- Test a sample route at the car hire desk to confirm toll-free.
- Ask what cashless toll programme applies and any daily or admin fees.
- Check the agreement for SunPass, PlatePass, or toll-by-plate billing terms.
Florida has a big mix of toll roads, express lanes, and bridges, especially around Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and the coast. If you are collecting a car hire vehicle and want to reduce surprises, the best approach is two-part. First, set Waze to avoid toll roads before you leave the car park. Second, confirm how tolls are handled on your rental agreement so that a single wrong turn does not trigger cashless toll charges and extra fees.
This guide walks you through the exact Waze settings, plus a quick checklist for what to confirm at pick-up. If you are collecting at a major hub such as Miami Airport car hire or heading out from Tampa Airport car hire, doing this in advance can save time, money, and stress in busy traffic.
Why toll settings matter with Florida car hire
Many Florida toll facilities are cashless, which means there is no booth where you can hand over cash. Instead, tolls are collected by transponder (for example, SunPass) or by camera reading the number plate (often called Toll-by-Plate). With a car hire vehicle, that number plate is linked to the rental company, not you, so the charges can be billed later along with an administrative or processing fee.
Even if you plan to avoid tolls entirely, it is still worth understanding the toll policy. In real driving, you can be directed onto a tolled expressway by a wrong lane choice, a last-minute diversion, or simply following signs in unfamiliar areas. If you know what happens when a toll is triggered, you can make an informed decision about whether to opt into a toll programme or rely on toll-free routing.
Step-by-step: set Waze to avoid toll roads before you drive off
The key is to change the navigation settings inside Waze, then verify that a route is actually toll-free. Menus can look slightly different by phone model and app version, but the options are consistent.
Step 1: Open Waze and go to Settings
Open Waze on your phone. Tap the menu icon, then find Settings. If you are already connected to the car screen, it is often easier to do this directly on the phone first.
Step 2: Find Navigation settings
In Settings, look for Navigation (sometimes shown as “Navigation settings”). This is where Waze controls what road types it will prefer or avoid.
Step 3: Toggle “Avoid toll roads” on
Switch on Avoid toll roads. Once enabled, Waze should plan routes that avoid toll segments where possible. Be aware that some destinations have very limited practical access without using tolls, so Waze might still show a toll route if it considers alternatives unreasonable or if local road data is limited.
Step 4: Confirm other relevant “avoid” options
While you are there, consider other toggles that can affect routing with a car hire vehicle, such as avoiding ferries or unpaved roads. This is particularly useful if you are in an unfamiliar area and want predictable driving conditions.
Step 5: Force a route recalculation
Back out of settings and re-enter your destination. If you already had a route open, cancel it and start again so Waze recalculates using the updated preferences. In some cases, fully closing and reopening Waze helps ensure the change takes effect.
Step 6: Check the route details for toll indicators
Before you start driving, look at the route options Waze presents. If any option includes tolls, it will typically show a small toll note. Tap each route option to review. Choose the route with no toll indication.
Do a two-minute “test route” before leaving the car park
The easiest way to confirm you have truly avoided toll routing is to run a route simulation from where you are parked. This is worth doing while you still have time and signal, ideally before you exit the airport or city centre ramps where lane choices are fast.
Pick a realistic first stop
Use the address of your hotel, resort, or the first planned stop. If you are collecting near the theme parks, you can test a route from Orlando area car hire locations to your accommodation, because Orlando has multiple toll expressways and connectors.
Compare at least two routes
If Waze offers alternate routes, tap through them and confirm none show a toll label. If every route includes tolls, zoom in and see where the toll section begins. Sometimes a very short tolled connector can be avoided by selecting a different initial road.
Check that your first junction is toll-free
In Florida, the first few minutes can determine whether you end up on a toll road, particularly leaving airports. Confirm the first turn or ramp is onto a free road. If you are unsure, pause and re-check before you commit to the ramp.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tips for Waze toll avoidance
Many travellers rely on the car screen. The important point is that Waze’s “avoid tolls” setting is linked to your Waze app account and phone, not the vehicle. Set it once on the phone and it should carry over.
Set preferences on the phone first
Do the settings change while parked and connected to mobile data. Then connect to CarPlay or Android Auto and start Waze. If you change the setting only on the car screen and it does not seem to hold, re-check the phone app settings.
Keep the phone unlocked for quick verification
Some route detail screens are easier to read on the phone. Before leaving, use the phone to verify the route has no toll notice, then follow the same route on the car screen.
Common reasons Waze still suggests tolls in Florida
If you have switched on “Avoid toll roads” and still see toll routes, one of these is usually the cause.
Your destination is effectively toll-dependent
Some areas are faster or more directly served by toll roads, and toll-free routes can be significantly longer. Waze may still show a toll route as an option, so you must select the toll-free alternative explicitly.
Short tolled connectors and managed lanes
Florida has express lanes and connectors that can appear unexpectedly. A route might be mostly toll-free but include a brief tolled section. This matters with car hire because a short toll can still trigger the rental toll programme and its associated fees.
Last-minute lane choice errors
Even with the correct route, following signs and staying in the right lane matters. Airports and downtown exits can split quickly. If you take a toll ramp by mistake, you might not be able to exit immediately.
Out-of-date app or map data
Keep Waze updated. Roadworks and temporary closures can also push you towards toll roads. If you are collecting from downtown Miami car hire and traffic is heavy, Waze may keep recalculating. Watch for any updated route prompt that introduces tolls.
What to confirm on the rental agreement so cashless tolls do not surprise you
With Florida car hire, toll charges can be simple or expensive depending on how they are processed. Before you sign, confirm the points below and make sure they match what appears on your agreement. Staff can explain the options, but the contract wording is what determines billing.
1) Is there a toll programme, and is it optional?
Many rental companies offer a toll programme that covers electronic tolls automatically. It may charge a daily fee for days you drive, for days you use tolls, or for the entire rental period, depending on the provider and location. Ask exactly when the daily charge applies.
2) What is the administrative or processing fee?
If you do not opt into a toll programme and you trigger a toll by plate, the rental company may bill the toll plus an administrative fee per toll, per day, or per rental. Confirm the amount and how it is calculated. This is the part that often surprises travellers because the fee can exceed the toll itself.
3) How are tolls billed, and when?
Cashless tolls may appear on your card days or weeks after the rental ends. Ask whether tolls are charged during the rental or processed afterwards. This helps you monitor your card statements and avoid confusion.
4) Does the car have a transponder, and is it active?
Some vehicles have a built-in transponder or a portable tag. Confirm whether it is present, whether it is switched on, and whether you can opt out. Do not tamper with devices, but you should know what is installed and what it does.
5) Can you pay tolls yourself in Florida with a rental car?
Because many tolls are cashless, paying “yourself” can be tricky. In some cases you can use your own SunPass Pro or another compatible transponder, but you must understand the rental company’s policy. Some agreements prohibit using personal transponders or still bill you if the vehicle’s plate is captured. Ask what is permitted and get clarity before you rely on it.
6) What happens if you accidentally enter a toll road once?
Ask for a plain-language explanation: if you accidentally use a toll facility one time, will you pay just the toll, or the toll plus a one-time fee, or a daily fee for multiple days? The answer affects whether toll avoidance is worth the added driving time.
Practical Florida driving checks to reduce toll risk
Even with Waze configured correctly, a few habits make toll avoidance more reliable.
Use voice guidance and keep it early
Set Waze volume so you hear lane instructions with time to react. Late lane changes near ramps are a common way drivers end up on toll roads.
Look for “TOLL” on overhead signs
Florida signage is generally clear. If you see “TOLL” or a named expressway, confirm Waze still shows the toll-free route. If not, safely pull off and recalculate.
Build time into your plan
Toll-free routes can be slower at peak hours. If you are travelling from the airport to the coast or across a metro area, allow extra time so you are not tempted into a tolled shortcut.
Decide your toll strategy based on trip type
For short city stays where you will mainly drive locally, avoiding tolls may be easy. For multi-stop itineraries with long distances, the time savings from toll roads may outweigh the cost. If you are doing a longer family trip with luggage, an SUV can make driving less tiring, and you may be comparing options like SUV hire in Tampa alongside your toll approach.
FAQ
Q: Where exactly is “Avoid toll roads” in Waze?
A: Open Waze, go to Settings, then Navigation, then switch on “Avoid toll roads”. Cancel and restart your route to force a recalculation.
Q: If I avoid tolls in Waze, can I still end up paying toll charges?
A: Yes. A wrong turn onto a toll ramp, a diversion, or a recalculated route can put you on a cashless toll road. That is why it is important to understand the rental agreement’s toll billing and fees.
Q: Are Florida toll roads always cashless?
A: Many are cashless, especially around major cities and airports. That means charges are collected by transponder or number plate camera rather than cash booths.
Q: What should I look for on the car hire agreement about tolls?
A: Check whether there is a toll programme, when daily charges apply, any administrative fees, how tolls are billed, and whether a transponder is installed or active.
Q: Should I choose toll-free routes when driving from Miami or Orlando?
A: It depends on your priorities. Toll-free routes can save money but may add time in heavy traffic. If you choose toll-free, test your route before leaving and watch for toll ramp signage.
