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How Tolls Work on South Carolina Roads

By Viola Travers · Practical Services & Civic Guide

Where you'll encounter tolls in South Carolina

South Carolina has three toll roads, all in the Charleston area. The Cooper River Bridge (Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge) connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant and charges tolls in both directions. The Mark Clark Expressway runs from the bridge westward and has tolls at several points. The James Island Expressway branches off the Mark Clark and also charges tolls. These are the only roads in the state where you must pay a toll to pass.

All three roads are managed by the Charleston County Transportation Authority (CCTA). If you drive them regularly or occasionally, you have options for how to pay — and some cost less than others.

Key Takeaways

  • South Carolina's three toll roads are the Cooper River Bridge, Mark Clark Expressway, and James Island Expressway, all in the Charleston area.
  • You can pay tolls with cash at toll booths, but using a Palmetto Pass transponder saves money on every trip.
  • A Palmetto Pass costs $25 to set up and requires a prepaid account, but toll rates are 25 to 50 percent lower than cash rates.
  • You can get a Palmetto Pass by mail, online, or at a customer service center in Charleston.
  • If you do not have a Palmetto Pass, the toll booth will photograph your license plate and send you an invoice by mail.

Paying with cash versus a Palmetto Pass

At each toll booth, you can hand cash to an attendant or use a coin machine. However, cash tolls are the most expensive option. A single crossing of the Cooper River Bridge costs $2.50 in cash for a passenger vehicle, but only $1.50 with a Palmetto Pass. The Mark Clark and James Island expressways have similar discounts.

A Palmetto Pass is a small electronic transponder that mounts on your windshield. When you drive through a toll booth, sensors read it and deduct the toll from your prepaid account. You never stop or hand over money. The transponder costs $25 to set up, and you load money onto it in advance — usually $25, $50, or $100 at a time. The account does not expire, so you can use it as long as you have a balance.

If you cross the Cooper River Bridge twice a week, a Palmetto Pass pays for itself in about two months. If you use the toll roads less often, the savings are smaller but still add up over time.

How to get a Palmetto Pass

You can order a Palmetto Pass online through the CCTA website at palmettotranspass.com. You will need a valid driver's license, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card or debit card). The transponder arrives by mail in about 5 to 7 business days. You can then add money to your account online whenever your balance runs low.

If you prefer not to order online, you can visit the CCTA customer service center in person. It is located at 2641 Clements Ferry Road in Charleston, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call the CCTA at 843-856-1999 to request an application by mail.

When your transponder arrives, test it at a toll booth before relying on it for regular trips. If it does not read properly, contact the CCTA to have it replaced.

What happens if you do not have a Palmetto Pass

If you drive through a toll booth without a transponder and do not pay cash, the booth's camera photographs your license plate. The CCTA uses that photo to look up your vehicle registration and mails you an invoice within two weeks. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a $2.50 processing fee, making it more expensive than paying cash at the booth.

You can pay the invoice by mail, online, or by phone. If you receive multiple invoices because you drive the toll roads regularly, switching to a Palmetto Pass will save you money and the hassle of paying invoices.

Toll rates and which roads charge what

The Cooper River Bridge charges $1.50 per crossing with a Palmetto Pass and $2.50 with cash for a passenger vehicle. The Mark Clark Expressway has tolls at two points — one near the bridge and one further west — so a full trip across costs more than a single crossing. The James Island Expressway has one toll point. Rates vary slightly depending on which segment you use.

Heavy vehicles, motorcycles, and commercial trucks pay different rates. If you drive a vehicle other than a standard passenger car, ask the toll booth attendant or check the CCTA website for your vehicle's rate.

The CCTA adjusts toll rates periodically to cover maintenance and operations. Rates have increased several times since the Cooper River Bridge opened in 2005, so check the current rates on the CCTA website before budgeting for regular trips.

Transponders for other states and reciprocal use

If you have a transponder from another state — such as E-ZPass from the Northeast or SunPass from Florida — it will not work on South Carolina toll roads. The Palmetto Pass is specific to the Charleston area and does not work on out-of-state toll roads. You will need a separate transponder for each toll system you use regularly.

Some states have reciprocal agreements that allow their transponders to work across state lines, but South Carolina is not part of those networks. If you travel frequently between states with tolls, you may need to carry multiple transponders or be prepared to pay cash or receive invoices in each state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a toll to cross the Cooper River Bridge?

Yes. The bridge is the only vehicle crossing between Charleston and Mount Pleasant, and tolls are charged in both directions at all times. There is no toll-free route. If you use the bridge regularly, a Palmetto Pass will reduce your cost per crossing by about 40 percent.

What if my Palmetto Pass balance runs out while I am driving?

Your transponder will still work. The CCTA will send you an invoice for the toll plus a processing fee, just as if you had no transponder. You can add money to your account online or by phone before the invoice arrives, or you can pay the invoice when it comes. It is a good idea to check your balance monthly and reload before it gets too low.

Can I use someone else's Palmetto Pass in my car?

Technically yes, but the transponder is registered to a specific vehicle. If the vehicle on the registration does not match the one using the transponder, the CCTA may flag it. For regular use, each vehicle should have its own transponder registered to that vehicle's license plate.

Are there discounts for frequent users?

The Palmetto Pass itself is the discount — you pay a lower rate per crossing than you would with cash. There are no additional loyalty programs or bulk discounts. The savings come from using the transponder instead of paying cash at the booth.

What if I lose my Palmetto Pass?

Contact the CCTA immediately to report it lost. They can deactivate the old transponder so no one else can use your account balance. You can order a replacement transponder, and any remaining balance on your account will transfer to the new one. There is usually a replacement fee of around $10 to $15.