This is weird, I got a bill today for when we used the 407 Express Toll Route in the Toronto area. I didn't know that they charge you later based on your license number. Seems expensive too! $27. We used it once for 25 km, once for 4.6 km, once for 2.2 km and once for 25 km. Does that sound right? I really had no idea. What would have happened if we had been in a rental car?

It is correct. We noticed a sign the other day when getting on the 407 that stated out of province users will be billed. They must have an agreement with other jurisdictions. Although it seems like a lot, in my opinion it's worth it to avoid the 401. Don't know about rental cars.

407 tolls are very high and I almost never use it for that reason. The numbers you cite sound "reasonable", i.e. not a mistake.

I agree, the amount sounds 'reasonable'. If you don't have a transponder, you are charged a fee as well as distance travelled.
It's an expensive toll road, but sometimes really worth it to avoid the clogged 401.

If you had a rental car, the rental company would forward the bill to you.

I have driven a rental vehicle many times on 407. I'm not sure whether all rental companies handle it the same way, but this is how Avis does it:

- you're billed for the distance you drove on 407

- as kodi mentioned, because there is no transponder in the rental vehicle, you're charged an administrative fee to trace your license plate number back to the registered owner

- Avis adds their own processing fee. I think it's about $5.00 per trip, perhaps more.

Avis simply totals it all up and puts through another charge on the credit card you used to rent the car. They also send you a letter telling you that you will see a charge for $X, and they explain where the calculation comes from.

All in all, it's a stiff fee, but I just see it as a cost of avoiding 401. Incidentally, there have been several occasions where I have driven on 407 between 400 and 427 and Avis has failed to charge me. It is a very short distance, but I have never queried Avis. Sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.

Anselm

Oh, I meant to add: When I pick up my rental at the Avis lot at Pearson, there is always a little brochure in the car that tells you exactly how they will handle highway 407 usage fees. There are no surprises.

AA

Interesting. I think we would have been ok on the 401 that day, it was a Saturday and it didn't seem bad. I just went with what Mapquest was telling me to do, and I didn't realize that we'd get charged so much later on! Oh well, now I know.

Thanks!

Amelie, it really is too bad that mapquest took you that way without you knowing how expensive it would be.
I think navi systems always try to lead people that route too.

You are right, now you know for next time , and Saturday most likely would have been ok on the 401.

I avoid Highway 407 as the cost is insane and I don't like receiving a bill later in the mail. I'm never in a rush when I'm visiting Toronto or driving through it so I just stick to the busy 401.

The 407 is privately owned. Their website is www.407etr.com for anyone who wants to see how much it costs.

The 407's one of those things you do when you don't have an option. Unless you're going to be trying to navigate the 401 during the morning or afternoon rush hours (7am-11:30am & noon-7pm respectively ), you're better off avoiding the 407 unless there's some sort of major accident on the 401.

Sorry to hear of it, OP - unfortunately, I shared your pain!

I rec'd a bill in the mail as well, and I had no idea I was even on a toll highway. I did see a sign but I thought there would be a barrier or "Last Exit Before Toll" sign and I would get off. I was also following my Nuvi but would have avoided the toll hwy since we were on vacation and in no rush.

I found the toll & fees extremely high - I drove thru the entire state of Ohio for less than $7 I think last summer...LOL!

I ended up calling the cx service number to express my concern and after I was transferred to a "resolution specialist" my ticket was discounted if I was "willing to pay right away". I guess the sticker shock is common reaction.

I was on vacation when your thread originally posted and just saw it now that it was bumped.

Enjoy-la!

klam_chowder

I didn't know we were on a toll road either! We saw the sign too and did make a comment about wondering where you pay at. I figured we got off early enough too.

Ha! That's good you got a discount, I should have thought of that.

We are headed from Sarnia to north of Barrie tomorrow. Is the 407 the best way to go?

Sarnia to Barrie, might be ok as tomorrow is the end of a holiday weekend so most traffic will be going the other direction. I would stick to the 401 and then the 400. I think if you hit traffic it will be on the 400 and the 407 wont help then anyways.

Got back Friday evening from our trip to Algonquin Park. We stuck with the 401 and 400. Traffic Monday was very heavy going south on the 400, glad we were headed north!

How long ago did you drive the 407? We never got a bill and wondered about it but it was a couple of years ago.

May of this year.