Oklahoma, Kansas Turnpikes complete switch to cashless tolling

[Dan Robinson]

It’s the end of an era on the Great Plains turnpikes. Both the Kansas and Oklahoma Turnpikes completed their implementation of PlatePay cashless tolling on all of their routes last year. All of the manned toll booths and lanes have been permanently closed. Cameras will take pictures of vehicles, and drivers will receive bills in the mail. Oklahoma’s tolls increased by 15% as of January 1 of this year.

It is still worth getting a PikePass or K-Tag transponder, as the rates are cheaper than PlatePay. They are free, but you have to load a balance on the account ($20 at last check) that auto-refreshes each time you use that amount in tolls. Both transponders work on the Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma systems. PikePass has been more reliable in my experience, the K-Tag I had sometimes didn’t work. You can get one at the PikePass office at the travel center at the I-35/I-44 (Turner Turnpike) interchange in northeast OKC (12229 N I-35 SERVICE ROAD
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73131). There are several other locations as well: PIKEPASS: Safe. Efficient. Reliable

You can also order one from their web site: PIKEPASS: Safe. Efficient. Reliable

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Pikepass is also accepted in Florida. If you get a pikepass and an EZ PASS from somewhere in the northeast (I chose illinois for some reason) you pretty much have them all covered across the US east of the rockies. A few exceptions, but I haven't found any lately.

Now each section of the Oklahoma turnpikes are 5.40 up from 4.50. I left for Christmas and it was $4.50, came home and it was $5.40.

And to think, those turnpikes were supposed to be toll-less by 2005.......

 

[Mike Smith]

The Kansas Turnpike was also supposed to be toll-less.

As the great Ronald Reagan said, "The closest thing to eternal life on earth is a Government Program."

 

[Jamie H]

Ahh yes we have that here too.

One Thames crossing outside of London was supposed to be toll free when it was paid off, in 2003. Charges still apply!