Delaware adds to E-ZPass appreciation
One trip on Delaware Route 1 on a summer weekend was all it took to justify keeping E-ZPass despite the $1.50-a-month fee Marylanders now have to pay for the privilege.
The Delaware highway, a toll road for most of the stretch between Interstate 95 and the south side of Dover, is equipped with toll collection devices that let you fly by in the E-ZPass lanes without slowing down.
Meanwhile, last Saturday, there were backups at two cash toll plazas of a half-mile or more. For the record, traffic slows to a crawl on beach weekends on the part of Delaware 1 that is non-toll between Dover Air Force Base and the U.S. 113 split. After the split, Route 1 returned to normal highway speeds until hitting the outskirts of Lewes. Even with the backup, we found it a highly viable alternative to the Bay Bridge for a trip from Parkville to Rehoboth Beach. With E-ZPass, of course.
The return trip Monday evening took about 2 1/2 hours, with one stop for gas.
Categories: Maryland toll facilities
Comments
Delaware has plans to incorporate ezpass express lanes into I-95 as well, which might finally start to alleviate that dreadful backup at the border. (I know that isn't an issue for beach travel, but still...)
As far as the "up and around route," I also think you have more options, as if there is backup on RT 1, you can split onto RT 113, and even go over to RT 13 if necessary. That's opposed to 404, which, if there is an accident, leaves you pretty much optionless.
Posted by: Jed | August 12, 2009 11:42 AM
E-ZPass is nice but doesn't mean you need to pay $1.50 a month to use Maryland's. Ohio, for example, will only be charging 75 cents a month for its new E-ZPass program, and that's not even the cheapest.
Posted by: Nick | August 12, 2009 12:01 PM
If MD instituted the fast lanes like Route 1 has rather than the 30 MPH lanes they're currently installing at Ft. McHenry, I'd pay, too. I don't get down to Rt. 1 enough to justify almost $20/year.
Posted by: Sarah | August 18, 2009 12:37 PM