Turnpike tolls to increase

GROTON TWP. — Effective Jan. 1, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will increase toll rates along the highway, continuing a year-over-year trend of rate bumps. For 2026, applied to all vehicles accessing the toll road, it's nearly a 3% increase compared to 2025 rates. Come next month, here's a look at the new rate structure just for a standard vehicle — specifically motorcycles, cars, pickup trucks and others designated in Class 1 — that travels across the entire toll road: • Traveling eastbound with E-ZPass: $16, up 50 cents from 2025 • Traveling eastbound without E-ZPass: $23.50, up 50 cents • Traveling westbound with E-ZPass: $19, up 50 cents from 2025 • Traveling westbound without E-ZPass: $27.75, up 75 cents from 2025 "Despite the rising costs of highway construction and bridge projects, the Ohio Turnpike's toll rates still rank among of the lowest in the country," according to a turnpike statement. E-ZPass customers will continue to save an average of 33% on Ohio Turnpike tolls compared to customers who pay by cash or credit card." An increase, approved by turnpike members, helps to meet operating, debt service and capital improvement costs. The turnpike "relies primarily on toll revenue, no tax dollars, to operate and maintain the Ohio Turnpike's infrastructure, which includes the roadway, bridge and other projects," the statement read. People can learn more by visiting ohioturnpike.org.