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-   -   Cashless Toll roads. (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/cashless-toll-roads-1070644/)

Lev Sep 3rd, 2015 06:45 PM

Cashless Toll roads.
 
Hi,
I am planning to rent a car at Boston International airport. My driving will be limited to Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and maybe Maine. I've heard that there are cashless toll roads in the area. I'd like to avoid those roads when possible. Is there any list of cashless toll roads in the New England states? If I happen to take this kind of road how can I pay the fee?

Thanks. Lev.

fmpden Sep 3rd, 2015 06:55 PM

It is billed to the car rental and billed back to you. The rental company will explain your options. Hard to avoid.

Ackislander Sep 4th, 2015 03:28 AM

Gosh, I've lived in NE and driven in all those states for years and have not run into a toll highway where cash was not a possibility if always an inconvenience.

I would love to know more because obviously no one gets everywhere.

Can anyone elucidate?

fmpden Sep 4th, 2015 06:47 AM

Don't know if NE stands for Nebraska or New England. But in Florida, Ill, and CO where I have driven recently am running into non-cash toll roads everywhere. Simple - the locals or frequent users have some type of an RF device that records the passage of the vehicle and automatically charges your prepaid account. If you don't have one of those devices, then it is a photo of your license plate and a bill later. Depending on your point of view there is a discount for using the RF device or a surcharge for not using it.

It is the wave of the future.

cw Sep 4th, 2015 01:43 PM

The only non-manned toll booth that I know of right now, is going South into Boston on the Tobin Bridge. There is no toll going North on the Tobin.

There are easy ways to avoid the bridge if coming to Boston so if you could provide more detail on your itinerary and we could be more helpful.

New Hampshire and Maine still have manned toll booths, as does the Mass. Pike. I don't know about Connecticut, but I haven't heard of any.

Lev Sep 4th, 2015 02:07 PM

Thank you cw. I will be driving from Boston International airport to Hadley - a town in Western Massachusetts.

Kay2 Sep 4th, 2015 02:09 PM

Be sure to understand the rental company's charges for using cashless toll device. The rental car company may charge for using their toll pass daily even if you only pass through one toll booth on one day.

Earlier this year I rented a car in Florida and crossed one toll bridge that had a cash option lane. I used the cash option lane. Later I received a charge on my credit card for 5 days of tollpass use. I had to telephone the third party company that provides the devices and challenge the charge. It wasn't because I had gone over a bridge that used the pass device. The person said the device was used once in Orlando when I was in Ft Myers. My receipt had the make/model/license of my car, which did not match her records. It took about 1 week for the charges to be refunded. The other renter was going to have to pay for 5 days of the device with only one use.

Inakauaidavidababy Sep 4th, 2015 02:11 PM

is it really worth giving a tourist directions to avoid a non manned toll booth? But times are changing quickly. The frustration, time and confusion is certainly not worth the dollar or two surcharge for not having a transponder for a short time visitor. IMHO

We don't have a transponder because we are seldom on toll roads. But we get our bills from the Henry Hudson toll which was simpler then approaching the city on another road or roads.

Time to get a transponder Ackislander.

Ackislander Sep 4th, 2015 03:46 PM

I've had an EZ Pass for years. I just wondered if this particular cancer was spreading north.

Some of my friends have gotten multiple EZ passes as states introduce discounts for their own citizens. A friend in state R pays 80 cents to cross a particular bridge with an instate transponder and $4 when he uses his EZ Pass from state N. Since both transponders are free, why not?

jubilada Sep 4th, 2015 04:04 PM

The road from the airport to Hadley is all the Mass Pike , which still has tickets.

isabel Sep 4th, 2015 05:36 PM

Yes, from Logan airport in Boston to Hadley is the Mass Pike (I-90) which has the option to pay in cash (or use EZpass if you have the transponder). Then you'll go north on I-91 which is toll free (and then Rt 9 to Hadley, which is not a highway).

I hope you are going to see some of the area besides Hadley.

Lev Sep 4th, 2015 07:28 PM

Thank you Isabel. I agree, the 5 colleges area is a boring place. :-) No, we will visit our relatives in Hadley, Hartford, CT and have some time driving around Western MA, VT and NH. The most important thing for me - I do not need to rent so called "PlatePass" fron a rental company since I will not be driving on Cashless Toll highways. I found a good website on the Internet with all tall roads by state. The Cashless Toll highways are marked with a '*':
https://platepass.com/locations/

Lev.

cw Sep 4th, 2015 09:04 PM

That's a good website Lev. You'll pay a cash $3.50 toll leaving Logan going through the Ted Williams tunnel to I-90, the Mass. Pike. When you return to Logan fron NH, it's easy to avoid the Tobin Bridge by coming down 93, or 95 to Rt. 1 to Rt. 60 to 1A to the airport.

Ackislander Sep 5th, 2015 02:42 AM

Lev, it isn't often that somebody pays back the community that quickly!

What a great contribution that site is!

Thank you.

Lev Sep 7th, 2015 08:10 PM

I am very glad I contributed a little bit to the community. :-)
We will arrive to Boston airport around 6 PM. Now we are thinking of renting a car and drive up North to Beverly to visit our friend, have a good dinner, stay overnight at his place and slowly drive to Western Massachusetts. We can arrive to Hadley sometime in the evening. How would you recommend to organize the day that includes scenic drives, short hikes, etc.?

Lev.

isabel Sep 8th, 2015 02:45 AM

Hey, I didn't say the 5 college area was boring! I said Hadley was boring. Amherst, Northampton and the towns north and west are great.

If you have never been to Old Sturbridge Village then that's a good place in the center of the state. And if you are not in a hurry, the drive to Hadley from Sturbridge along Rt 9 through the Brookfield area and Quabbin Reservoir is lovely and much nicer than staying on the Pike and I-91. Lots of hikes around the reservoir. On Rt 148 between Sturbridge and Rt 9 there is a place right on the road to rent kayaks - there's a kind of river between two lakes. I haven't done it but driving by there it's looks really nice.

If you are starting from north of Boston than Rt 2 is nicer than going down to the Pike but I wouldn't call Rt 2 itself really scenic. You could stop in Concord, and there are several historic things around there to do. Or if you are going Rt 2 then once you get to western mass you could stop in Deerfield on your way down to Hadley. Historic Deerfield is a smaller version of Old Sturbridge - but mostly houses, not crafts and farming like Sturbridge has. And if you did do that then you'd take Rt 116 from Deerfield down to Hadley and you'd pass Mt. Sugarloaf. It's not a mountain, it's a hill, but there's a nice hike up it and a park at the top with great views of the Conn. River.

Ackislander Sep 8th, 2015 02:57 AM

Find Massachusetts State Route 2 on your map.

It passes through historic Concord, site of the battle between the Minutemen and the British; near Walden Pond, site of Thoreau's cabin; and contains the homes of Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, and Herman Melville.

Going west, it skirts Leominster, an historic mill town, now somewhat faded, and ultimately becomes the scenic Mohawk Trail across the higher elevations of Western Massachusetts. Many pleasant towns.

Turn south to Hadley at I-91. Stop at Old Deerfield for a walk and cup of coffee, though it is better to buy a ticket and see some of the houses and the museum-storage facility.

If I were staying in Hadley, I would try to return to the Mohawk Trail for some sightseeing.

The descent into North Adams is thrilling. Change gears, save your brakes. North Adams is the home of MASSMOCA, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Vast pieces in a vast setting.

The next town west is Williamstown, home of Williams College and its art museum and of the Clark Museum, which has a world-class collection and very fine visiting exhibits.

South of Williamstown are the Berkshires, an area with charming small towns and many, many cultural attractions. One of the most interesting is Hancock Shaker Village. Many interesting hikes in this area, all degrees of difficulty except nothing really hard. I could go on . . . .

Lev Sep 8th, 2015 09:16 PM

Thank you Isabel and Ackislander. I will definitely follow your advice. We will be in Western Massachusetts for at least 4 full days. Being in North Adams- Williamstown area would you recommend drive to Mt Greylock and down to Lanesborough and Pittsfeld? Also what would you recommend to see in addition to what you have described above in you posts?
We already visited Hartford,CT. I heard that there is a nice drive from New Milford,CT up #202 to Lake Waramaug park, Mt Tom State Park up to Litchfield. But it seems that this area is too far from Northampton-Hadley-Amherst area...

gail Sep 9th, 2015 01:40 AM

Rte 2 is an excellent idea. Stop at one of the produce and apple farm stands on the road and buy some apples for car snacks - they are really good this year and some really crisp ones are just coming to market.

Do not speed on Rte 2 - it is a popular speed trap area.

Ackislander Sep 9th, 2015 02:55 AM

Driving up Mt Greylock is a good idea.

I would look further south than Pittsfield an Lanesborough.

Lenox, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington are all nice towns with good access to historic houses and hikes in addition to food and shopping.

Google BishBash Falls (or is it BashBish Falls?) and Bartholomews Cobble for popular hikes.

cw Sep 9th, 2015 05:03 AM

A nice little detour off of Rt. 2 is the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. http://www.bridgeofflowersmass.org/index.html

Lev Sep 9th, 2015 07:40 AM

WOW! We are looking forward to visit most of the places you have mentioned in your posts. I have my camera and camcorder already charged. :-)
Another question: We have 1:30PM flight out of Boston airport. Is taking 91 S, 90 E the best way to get there from Hadley? We'll need time to drop rental car and check in. Will we have enough time if we leave at 9 AM ?

cw Sep 9th, 2015 10:16 AM

It should be about a two-hour drive so I would add 30 minutes for unforeseen delays, construction, accident, etc., and allow 30 minutes to return the car and catch the shuttle to the airport, all of which will get you to check-in at noon if you leave at nine. You'll probably be earlier, but I like to allow extra time when going to catch a flight.

You'll have time to have some lunch before leaving.

jubilada Sep 9th, 2015 10:32 AM

The five college area , other than Hadley , is very interesting. The art museum at smith is good, there are several very good galleries in Northampton, as well as the Emily Dickenson house in Amherst, great hikes in the Holyoke range. Don't skedaddle out of the area.

As to Grey
Ok, yes, I would definitely go to the top, well wort it for the views and the interesting lodge at the summit.
My favorite restaurant in the Berkshires, Elizabeth's is in Pittsfield, and Barrington Stage has very fine theater beyond the regular Berkshires summer season.

jubilada Sep 9th, 2015 10:33 AM

Greylock, not grey.

isabel Sep 9th, 2015 01:51 PM

I live very near Hadley and I often make it to Logan airport in 2 and a quarter hours, but I always allow at least 2 and a half for traffic. It frequently does take that long. Then of course you need to leave time to return the car and I'm not sure how long that takes at Logan. In terms of how long you need for check-in, etc. depends on which terminal. It's not a huge airport but the domestic terminals can be slower than the international for some reason. If it were me I'd be leaving by 8 or 8:30, but I admit I generally get to airports too early.

If you decide to take the "Mohawk Trail" (Rt 2) to N. Adams, etc. one day I would suggest that from Hadley you take Rt 116 north to Conway and then Shelburn Falls Road (from the center of Conway) to Shelburn Falls which was suggested above. The Bridge of Flowers is pretty and the town is cute. Won't take you long to see the town. But that route is prettier and no longer than going through Greenfield, and you'd get on Rt 2 in Shelburn and continue west from there.

Here's a photo of the Bridge of Flowers, it's an old railroad bridge that has been planted with flowers. Nice, five minute walk across it. http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/147344570

Lev Sep 11th, 2015 12:17 PM

Thank you Isabel. Sounds like a good plan. But the problem is that we will be staying in Hadley and there is so much to see that is North West and West from Hadley. How would you plan you time day by day if you were in my shoes and had 5 full days to explore the area?
Here is what I have so far..
Day 1. Arrive to Logan Airport at 6pm. Rent a car and drive to Beverly. Stay overnight at friend’s house.
Day 2. Drive to Concord, MA. Sightseeing in Concord, Take #2 W, 91 S to Historic Deerfield. Historic Deerfield. Continue to Hadley. Maybe just skip Historic Deerfield and add something else?
Day 3-4-5. Shelburne Falls, Bridge of Flowers, North Adams (Museum of Contemporary Art,Natural Bridge State Park),
Williamstown (Clark Art Institute, William College Museum of Art), Greylock, Hancock Shaker Village, #7 down to Bartholomew's Cobble - Ashley Falls, Bash Bish State Park, Quabbin Reservoir area, Old Sturbridge Village. Also sightseeing and hiking in Northampton-Amherst area...
It seems to me that having a base in Hadley it simply impossible to meaningfully cover all this in 5 days.. I need to drop something and leave it for the next visit to the area. But what?

Lev.

Lev Sep 11th, 2015 12:57 PM

Sorry. I forgot to add
Day 6. Described in Day 3-4-5.
Day 7. Back to Logan airport to catch 1:30 PM flight.

Lev.

Lev Sep 23rd, 2015 05:16 PM

Thank you, guys, for answering my questions and helping to polish my itinerary.

isabel Sep 25th, 2015 05:51 PM

When exactly is your trip? And you have four days between Day 2 and the day you need to leave to go back to Logan?

Day 2 sounds very doable - Concord in the morning, couple hours (less really) to Deerfield, few hours in Historic Deerfield, then you'll be in Hadley by mid-late afternoon.

The problem I see is that Shelburn Falls, Mohawk Trail, North Adams, Willamstown, Greylock, Hancock Shaker Village and Bash Bish is that they are all quite a bit west of Hadley yet you can't do all of them in one day, so if you divided those things into two days you'd be doing some driving back and forth. Of course it can be a nice drive. To be honest I had never heard of Bash Bish (had to google it) and I've lived in Mass for 30 years. But even with the rest of the stuff you listed it would take two days.

Quabbin and Old Sturbridge Village are east of Hadley and could be a nice day. Most people spend about a half day at Sturbridge and it's only an hour or so from Hadley. Quabbin could be a stop on the way back.

Definitely spend one day in the Amherst-Northampton area. If you are visiting friends in Hadley I'm sure they'll suggest things to do but stuff we usually do with out of town visitors is: walk around and have lunch or dinner in Northampton, visiting one (or more) of the college campuses - Mt Holyoke is the prettiest but Smith is very nice too, Atkins Farm in South Amherst, climb (or drive up) Mt. Sugarloaf in South Deerfield (15 minutes from Hadley, great views).

So if you have four days rather than three you could then go back to the western most area and do whatever you didn't do the first day.

Enjoy your visit.

Lev Sep 25th, 2015 06:55 PM

Hi Isabel,
Sorry, I messed up with the days.. We will arrive to Boston Wednesday evening and fly out of Boston Wednesday afternoon. We will visit our relatives in Hartford, CT Saturday afternoon. So.. We will have around 5.5 days to explore Western Massachusetts.


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