I Asked ChatGPT How To Drive Cross-Country With Minimal Tolls — Here’s What It Said
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Most states have separate toll systems. That can make a cross-country trip costly if you don’t understand the toll pass you’ll need to travel in the 38 states that have toll roads or bridges. But avoiding tolls isn’t always the most practical choice, either.
As an avid road tripper, I asked ChatGPT, “I’m planning to drive cross-country from Bangor, Maine to San Diego, California. How can I avoid tolls along the way?” I chose two major cities on opposite sides of the country, northeast and southwest. Bangor is the largest city in northern Maine, while San Diego is just 27 minutes north of Tijuana, Mexico.
Here’s what it shared about the journey:
“If you’re mapping out a cross-country road trip, start by identifying major toll corridors along the way–especially in the Northeast, parts of the Midwest, and specific express lanes in states like Virginia and California,” it said. It warned me, “You’ve picked a coast-to-coast route that starts in one of the most toll-heavy regions in the country and ends in one of the most complex — but not impossible — places to navigate toll-free.”
Essentially, driving down I-95 and hanging a left is going to cost you in tolls. I-90, the Massachusetts Pike, New York Thruway and Ohio Turnpike aren’t much better. And I-76 / I-70, aka the Pennsylvania Turnpike, is also toll (and construction) heavy.
It then gave me step-by-step directions, in Google Maps style. So if you want to take this type of trip, click “avoid tolls” on your GPS and you’ll probably see a similar route:
- Start southbound from Maine via I-95, but exit quickly before hitting tolled stretches (you may take one unavoidable toll in New Hampshire or Massachusetts).
- Head west on US-202 or I-84 through Connecticut and into upstate New York, then cut across I-88 (largely toll-free) or US-20 to avoid the NY Thruway.
- Once you reach western New York or Pennsylvania, hop onto I-80 or US-30, aiming for I-70 through Ohio and Indiana–but avoid the toll turnpikes by using US routes that parallel them (like US-40 or US-36).
- (Writer’s note: Expect traffic and construction on I-80, but at least you won’t pay for the privilege of driving this road. If you detour through the side roads you’ll hit scenic Amish country, speed limits of 30, and even turkeys crossing the road.)
- Transition to I-44 through Missouri, then down to I-40 across Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. This stretch is toll-free and beautifully empty.
- Stay on I-40 until you reach Arizona and cut south on I-17 to I-8, bypassing Phoenix traffic and avoiding California’s I-10 toll express lanes.
- Roll into San Diego on I-8, toll-free and triumphant.
ChatGPT delivered a beautifully succinct, low-toll route.
If you are leaving from other points in the northeast, your route to get to I-44 may differ (and be more expensive.) When I asked how to get to San Diego from Long Island, it joked, “Starting from Long Island and trying to dodge tolls? You’re basically beginning the trip inside a toll booth. But with a little smart routing, you can keep the fees to a minimum–and still make it coast to coast.”
Leaving Long Island only costs $6.94 if you have an EZ-Pass, fortunately.
The Real Costs of Avoiding Tolls
Roughly two decades ago, I was driving from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma. My colleague accidentally hit “avoid tolls” on our stand-alone GPS — either a Magellan, TomTom or Garmin. It took us there by way of Georgia. If you’ve ever looked at a U.S. map, this is clearly not the most efficient route.
Granted, we told the primitive technology to avoid “all tolls,” which explains the deer, turkey and dirt roads we encountered.
ChatGPT provided a more logical alternative to get from Maine to San Diego. But if you were to follow the route, you’d spend 52 to 55 hours driving and go 3,400 miles. If you took Google Maps’ recommended “fastest route,” you’d drive 3,227 miles in roughly 47.5 hours. That’s nearly a full workday in driving time saved.
I asked ChatGPT the cost of Google’s recommended route. You’d save $50 to $70 in tolls. But you’d spend roughly $22 more in gas based on current AAA prices with a car that delivers 25 mpg. ChatGPT’s assessment was: “Still worth it if you’ve got the time and don’t mind the scenic route.”
Or cranky toddlers or hungry teens.
Ultimately, ChatGPT warned, “If you’re not in a rush, avoiding tolls might be worth it. You could save a few dollars and enjoy a more scenic drive, complete with quirky roadside attractions.”
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