Tolls in Atlanta: What Drivers Need to Know

If you’re planning to drive in or around Atlanta, Georgia, you might wonder: Does Atlanta have tolls? The short answer is yes, but not many—and they work a little differently than old‑fashioned toll booths.

Atlanta does not have traditional toll roads with cash booths like you’ll see in some other states. Instead, the region uses electronic, optional “express lanes” on certain interstates. You can usually drive the regular lanes for free, but pay extra if you choose the faster toll lanes during busy times.

Below is a clear breakdown of how tolls work in Atlanta and what to expect as a resident, commuter, or visitor.

Does Atlanta Have Tolls at All?

Yes. Atlanta has toll express lanes, sometimes called managed lanes or Peach Pass lanes, on specific interstate segments.

Key points:

• There are no cash toll booths in metro Atlanta.
• Most highways are free to use in the regular lanes.
• Tolls apply only if you choose to enter the express lanes.
• Tolls are all-electronic, usually paid with a Peach Pass transponder or by license plate billing in some cases.

If you’re simply driving on I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285, or local streets around the city and you stay in the general-purpose lanes, you typically won’t pay any tolls.

Where Are the Toll (Express) Lanes in Atlanta?

Atlanta’s tolls are mainly on interstate express lanes operated by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Here are the main toll express lane corridors that affect Atlanta drivers:

I-85 Express Lanes (Northeast of Downtown)

• Location: Along I‑85 north of Atlanta, primarily in Gwinnett County, starting near the interchange with I‑285 and running northeast.
• Purpose: Helps manage heavy commuter traffic between the suburbs and metro Atlanta.
• Use: You can choose to enter the tolled express lane for a more reliable travel speed during rush hour.

I-75 South Metro Express Lanes

• Location: Along I‑75 south of Atlanta, mainly in Henry and Clayton counties.
• Typical users: Commuters traveling between south metro Atlanta (like McDonough, Stockbridge, or Morrow) and the city.
• Design: Reversible lanes (they change direction depending on morning or evening rush).

I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes

• Location: Along I‑75 and I‑575 northwest of Atlanta, primarily in Cobb and Cherokee counties.
• Typical users: Drivers coming from areas like Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Woodstock, and Canton.
• Also reversible: Direction changes based on peak travel periods.

How Do Atlanta’s Toll Lanes Work?

Atlanta’s toll lanes are optional, dynamically priced express lanes. Here’s how they generally function:

Optional, Not Mandatory

• The regular lanes are free.
• The express lanes cost money, but only if you choose to use them.
• Signs clearly mark where express lanes begin and give you a chance to decide before you enter.

Dynamic Pricing

Tolls in Atlanta’s express lanes use dynamic pricing:

• Prices change based on current traffic conditions and congestion.
• When traffic is heavy, toll prices usually increase to limit the number of cars in the express lanes and keep speeds more predictable.
• When traffic is lighter, prices typically drop.
• Overhead message boards display the current toll rate so you know the price before entering.

All-Electronic Tolling (No Cash)

• There are no personnel taking cash or traditional booths.
• Payment happens either by transponder or license plate billing, depending on the lane and your setup.
• Overhead toll gantries read your Peach Pass and/or capture your license plate.

What Is a Peach Pass and Do You Need One?

In Atlanta, the most common way to pay tolls is with a Peach Pass.

What Is Peach Pass?

Peach Pass is a small, electronic transponder sticker you mount on your windshield. It links to a prepaid account used to pay tolls in Georgia’s toll lanes, including:

• I‑85 Express Lanes
• I‑75 South Metro Express Lanes
• I‑75/I‑575 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes

In many cases, Peach Pass is the simplest and most cost-effective way to use toll lanes regularly.

Do You Need a Peach Pass?

It depends on how often and where you drive:

• Daily or frequent commuter using express lanes
  A Peach Pass is strongly recommended. It usually gives you smoother billing, lower rates than some alternative billing methods, and less risk of extra fees.

• Occasional or one-time visitor
  If you’re renting a car or passing through once, you may:

  • Use a rental car toll option (if offered and you understand the fees), or
  • Avoid express lanes entirely and stay in the free lanes.

• Local driver who rarely uses express lanes
  You can still get a Peach Pass for flexibility, or simply avoid the express lanes and pay no tolls.

How to Get a Peach Pass in the Atlanta Area

Peach Pass is issued by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA).

Ways to Sign Up

Most Atlanta drivers sign up in one of these ways:

1. Online or By Phone

   • You set up a prepaid toll account, add your vehicle and payment method, and receive a transponder by mail.

2. In Person at a Customer Service Center
   SRTA typically operates a customer service center in the metro region where you can:

   • Open an account
   • Pick up a Peach Pass
   • Get help updating your information or resolving issues

3. Retail Partner Locations (When Available)
   Some grocery stores, convenience stores, or service centers may offer Peach Pass registration or reload options. Availability can change, so it’s best to confirm current locations.

Because exact office locations and hours can change, drivers in Atlanta usually check the SRTA or Peach Pass customer service contact for the latest in-person options and support.

Typical details you’ll need:

• Vehicle information (make, model, license plate)
• Contact information
• A payment method to fund your prepaid account

Using Atlanta’s Express Lanes: Practical Tips

Here are practical, Atlanta-specific things to keep in mind before you drive into the toll lanes.

1. Watch for Entrance and Exit Points

• Express lanes have limited entry and exit points.
• You can’t weave in and out any time you want; you must use designated access locations.
• Signs will show where you can enter or leave the lanes. Missing an exit can mean driving several extra miles before getting out.

2. Follow Lane Markings and Signs Carefully

• Express lanes are clearly marked with overhead signs and pavement markings.
• Some corridors use barriers or a separated roadway.
• Crossing double‑solid lines or unauthorized areas to enter or exit the lane can lead to traffic violations and fines.

3. Know the Direction for Reversible Lanes

Some Atlanta express lanes are reversible, especially:

• I‑75 South Metro Express Lanes
• I‑75/I‑575 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes

They typically:

• Run toward Atlanta in the morning (inbound)
• Run away from Atlanta in the evening (outbound)

Signs and overhead signals show whether the lanes are open and in which direction. Always obey posted arrows and lane status indicators; driving in a closed or wrong-direction express lane is dangerous and illegal.

4. Understand Occupancy and Vehicle Rules

Not all vehicles can use the express lanes at all times:

• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks) are generally allowed with a valid payment method.
• Rules can differ for:
  • Motorcycles
  • Trailers
  • Commercial trucks or heavy vehicles

Many Atlanta drivers check GDOT or SRTA lane rules before using a corridor for the first time to confirm which vehicles are allowed and if there are HOV (carpool) or special exemptions in place at that time.

What If You Don’t Have a Peach Pass but Use a Toll Lane?

If you accidentally end up in an express lane in Atlanta without a Peach Pass:

• Cameras may record your license plate.
• Depending on the corridor and rules at the time, you may receive a bill by mail or a notice that includes administrative fees.
• Repeated use without resolving tolls can lead to accumulated charges and potential penalties or registration holds in Georgia.

If you live in Atlanta and accidentally used the lanes a few times, it often makes sense to:

• Contact Peach Pass customer service
  Explain what happened and ask how to resolve your trips.
• Open an account
  Sometimes setting up a Peach Pass account promptly can simplify how those past tolls are handled.

Visitors Driving Rental Cars in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and driving a rental car:

• Many rental companies offer a toll program that automatically pays tolls if you use the express lanes, then charges you later (often with service fees).
• Before driving, ask the rental desk:
  • Whether the vehicle is equipped with a transponder or registered for tolls.
  • How fees and service charges are calculated.
• If you want to avoid toll charges completely, stay in the general-purpose (non-express) lanes and watch signage closely, especially on:
  • I‑75 south of the city
  • I‑75/I‑575 northwest
  • I‑85 northeast of the Perimeter

Are Any Local Streets or Downtown Roads Tolled?

In Atlanta:

• City streets, local roads, and neighborhood areas are not tolled.
• Downtown and Midtown roads (Peachtree Street, North Avenue, etc.) are free to drive, aside from regular parking costs, tickets, or private lot fees.
• The Downtown Connector (I‑75/I‑85 through the middle of Atlanta) currently does not have express toll lanes.

For day-to-day in-town driving—running errands, going to events, or visiting neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, West End, or Old Fourth Ward—you won’t encounter toll charges. Your main costs will be parking and gas, not tolls.

Quick Reference: Tolls in Atlanta at a Glance

Who Manages Tolls in the Atlanta Area?

Tolls and express lanes around Atlanta are overseen by:

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  Responsible for planning, building, and maintaining interstate and highway infrastructure.

• State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA)
  Manages toll collection, Peach Pass accounts, and customer service for toll lanes in Georgia.

If you live in Atlanta and want to:

• Set up a new Peach Pass
• Update your vehicle information
• Ask about a toll bill or violation notice

You would typically contact SRTA/Peach Pass customer service for assistance. Their main office is generally located in the Atlanta metro area, and they provide phone support, online account access, and information about any in-person customer centers that may be operating.

In everyday terms, Atlanta does have tolls, but only in certain highway express lanes, and you can easily avoid them by staying in the regular lanes. For many local drivers, a Peach Pass offers flexibility during heavy traffic, while visitors and occasional drivers can simply pay attention to signs and choose the free lanes whenever they prefer not to pay a toll.