Quick Summary
- I 95 Express in Miami and Fort Lauderdale is a tolled express lane system running alongside free general lanes.
- You do not need your own toll pass if you are happy to stay in the general lanes, but you must avoid the clearly signed express entrances.
- If you do use I 95 Express in a rental car, tolls are normally billed automatically either through a built in tag or the hire companys plate based programme.
How I 95 Express works between Miami and Fort Lauderdale
On the busy stretch of I 95 between central Miami and Broward County, Florida operates I 95 Express lanes in the middle of the motorway. These lanes use overhead gantries and electronic readers to charge a variable toll based on traffic levels. When demand is high, prices rise so that the express lanes stay flowing while the free general lanes slow down.
The express lanes are separated from the rest of I 95 by plastic posts and solid lines, with limited entry and exit points. Overhead signs show current tolls and make it clear which ramps lead into the tolled section. Once you are inside the express carriageway you must stay in it until the next signed exit, even if you change your mind about paying the toll.
Do you need your own toll pass in a rental car
Legally, you do not have to bring your own SunPass or other tag to use I 95 Express in a hire car. The lanes are fully cashless, so the toll system either reads a transponder in the windscreen or captures the vehicles number plate and bills the registered owner. With a rental vehicle the owner is the hire company, which then recharges you for tolls and any daily programme fees set out in your contract.
From a budgeting point of view, however, it matters how those tolls are collected. Some suppliers enrol all vehicles in a toll package that adds a service fee on every day you incur at least one electronic toll. Others only charge a small administration fee on days when you actually use the system. When you book your Miami car rental through Hola Car Rentals you can compare these policies before you confirm.
If you already own a compatible tag, you can often bring it with you, add the hire cars number plate to your account and physically close any built in rental transponder so you are not charged twice. Always clear this with the desk at pick up and remove the tag from the windscreen when you return the vehicle.
Staying in the general lanes to avoid tolls
Many visitors decide that they do not need I 95 Express at all. The good news is that the ordinary I 95 lanes remain completely free to use. If you tell your navigation app to avoid tolls, it will usually route you along the general lanes or alternative roads such as US 1. As long as you avoid ramps and lanes marked Express, you will not incur toll charges.
Approaching downtown Miami from the airport, you will see clear signs showing which ramps lead into the tolled express lanes and which keep you in the free mainline. Staying right, avoiding the double white lines and watching for overhead price panels makes it easy to remain in the general lanes. Between Miami and Fort Lauderdale this only adds a little extra time outside the very busiest peaks.
For local journeys around Miami Beach and the coastal suburbs, you can often avoid I 95 altogether. Choosing a compact or mid size vehicle with Hola Car Rentals using the Miami Beach driving options can make slower but more scenic coastal routes easier to manage.
Toll programmes on Florida rentals
Florida toll agencies explain that rental vehicles are treated differently from privately owned cars when it comes to toll by plate billing. In many cases the invoice goes directly to the hire company rather than the driver, which is why suppliers bundle toll handling into their own programmes with daily fees.
Some travellers are comfortable with that, seeing the pass as a time saving tool that lets them use electronic lanes on I 95 Express, the Turnpike and urban expressways without stopping. Others prefer to keep costs low by sticking to toll free roads and avoiding any daily service charges. Hola Car Rentals helps by showing you which offers include built in tags, which use plate based billing and how the fees work, so you can pick the structure that matches your style.
For deeper background, Hola Car Rentals already has guides on SunPass and Miami hire cars and on driving between Miami and Fort Lauderdale with or without tolls.
Why book South Florida with Hola Car Rentals
By comparing brands such as Alamo, Budget, Avis and National in one place, Hola Car Rentals lets you focus on route planning rather than chasing down the fine print for each company. Many offers include Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up and an All Inclusive plus rate with maximum coverage so that you are relaxed about insurance as well as tolls.
If you expect to split your time between Miami and Broward, it can be worth checking vehicles at both Miami International and Fort Lauderdale using the Fort Lauderdale airport choices as well as the Miami list. Picking the most convenient airport for your final night can shorten your last day drive and simplify the route back to the depot.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to drive in I 95 Express without a SunPass if I am in a rental car?
The toll system will still record your journey and bill the vehicles owner, so you are not driving through for free. However, you may be charged extra administration fees by the hire company. For this reason it is best to think of I 95 Express as needing a toll arrangement, whether that is a built in tag, your own device or a clear plate based programme.
Can I drive between Miami and Fort Lauderdale without using I 95 Express?
Yes. You can stay in the general I 95 lanes or use US 1 and other local routes. Travel time may be a little longer in rush hour, but you avoid tolls and daily programme fees. Hola Car Rentals Miami and Fort Lauderdale route guides show several sample itineraries that keep to free roads.
Is it worth buying my own SunPass for a short holiday?
For a week or two, most visitors either rely on the hire companys toll package or simply avoid tolled expressways. Buying and registering your own device makes most sense if you visit Florida regularly or plan a long stay with frequent use of I 95 Express and other toll roads.
Whichever approach you prefer, booking with Hola Car Rentals in South Florida gives you the flexibility to choose the right vehicle, toll set up and route style before you land.
