Kentucky E-ZPass Tolled Bridges let drivers cross the Ohio River without stopping at toll booths. The system uses a small electronic transponder on your windshield. It deducts tolls from a prepaid account each time you cross. This all-electronic tolling covers three bridges between Kentucky and Indiana. Two more Ohio River bridges stay free for everyone. Drivers can save up to 50% on each crossing with a registered EZ-PassKY account.
What Are Kentucky E-ZPass Tolled Bridges?
Kentucky E-ZPass Tolled Bridges are part of the RiverLink system. RiverLink manages tolls on three Ohio River crossings. The program started in December 2016. It pays for the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project. The project cost about $2.3 billion. Drivers help repay this cost through tolls. The system uses no cash. No coins. No toll booth workers. Your transponder does all the work. A camera reads your license plate if you have no transponder. The system then mails you a bill.
The Three Tolled Bridges on the Ohio River
Three bridges charge tolls in the Louisville area. Each one accepts EZPass Kentucky registration. Each one accepts other approved transponders.
Abraham Lincoln Bridge (I-65 Northbound)
The Abraham Lincoln Bridge carries northbound I-65 traffic from Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. It opened in December 2015. The bridge has six lanes. It handles roughly 130,000 vehicles each day. All tolls are collected electronically. There is no stopping. No slowing down. The toll applies only to northbound drivers. Southbound drivers use the nearby Kennedy Bridge.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge (I-65 Southbound)
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge carries southbound I-65 traffic from Indiana back to Louisville. It reopened in 2015 after a major rebuild. The bridge originally opened in 1963. It got a wider deck and new cables. The bridge uses all-electronic tolling. The toll applies only to southbound drivers crossing into Kentucky.
Lewis and Clark Bridge (SR 265/KY 841)
The Lewis and Clark Bridge connects Prospect, Kentucky to Utica, Indiana. It opened in December 2016. The bridge is part of the East End Crossing. It is the only tolled crossing that charges both directions. Drivers pay the same rate in both directions. The bridge helps drivers bypass downtown Louisville traffic.
Free Bridges You Can Use to Cross the Ohio River
Two Ohio River bridges near Louisville stay free. No tolls. No transponder needed. Anyone can cross without an account.
Sherman Minton Bridge (I-64)
The Sherman Minton Bridge carries I-64 traffic between New Albany, Indiana and West Louisville. It opened in 1962. It carried tolls until 1991. Today it costs nothing to cross. The bridge has three lanes each way. It can get crowded during rush hour. Maintenance work often causes lane closures.
Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge)
The Clark Memorial Bridge is also called the Second Street Bridge. It connects downtown Louisville to Jeffersonville. The bridge opened in 1929. It carries two lanes. It has a lower speed limit. It is a popular route for local trips and bicycle crossings. The bridge cannot handle heavy truck traffic.
E-ZPassKY Toll Rates and Payment Methods
E-ZPassKY toll rates depend on your vehicle type. They depend on how many axles your vehicle has. They depend on your payment method. Drivers with an E-ZPass transponder pay the lowest rate. Drivers using pay by plate pay the highest rate.
Toll Rates by Vehicle Class
RiverLink uses three main vehicle classes. Each class has a different rate.
| Vehicle Class | Description | With Transponder | Pay by Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Passenger cars, SUVs, motorcycles (2 axles) | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| Class 2 | Pickup trucks, vans, cars with 1-axle trailer (3 axles) | $5.52 | $11.04 |
| Class 3+ | Heavy trucks, large commercial vehicles (4+ axles) | $11.05 | $22.10 |
These rates reflect 2026 figures. Visit the RiverLink site for current pricing.
Pay by Plate vs. E-ZPass
Pay by plate costs roughly twice as much as EZ-Pass for most drivers. The camera system reads your license plate. The system mails a bill to your home. You have 30 days to pay. Late fees add up fast. A small E-ZPass discount Kentucky saves you real money over time. EZ-Pass interoperability Kentucky works with other states too. An E-ZPass transponder Kentucky from any state works on these bridges.
How to Get and Use E-ZPassKY
E-ZPassKY transponder Kentucky setup takes just a few minutes. You can complete EZPass Kentucky registration online at the EZPassKY website. You can complete it by phone. You can complete it at a customer service center.
E-ZPass Account Setup Kentucky Steps
Follow these New Hampshire Rental Car Services E-ZPass account setup Kentucky steps to start saving money:
- Visit the official EZ-PassKY website.
- Click “Open an Account.”
- Enter your name, address, and contact details.
- Add your vehicle license plate, make, and model.
- Choose a transponder type. Sticker tags are free. Hard-case tags cost $15.
- Pay the opening balance. The minimum starts at $20.
- Link a credit card or bank account for auto-reload.
- Mount your transponder on your windshield.
- Start crossing tolled bridges at the lowest rate.
Transponder Installation Tips
Place the sticker transponder behind your rearview mirror. Keep it at least one inch from the metal edge. Keep it one inch from the windshield top. The hard-case transponder goes in the same spot. Each Kentucky toll bridge location has overhead sensors. These sensors read your transponder at highway speed. No need to slow down. No need to stop.
Accepted Transponders on RiverLink
RiverLink accepts transponders from many states. The system works with EZ Pass from all member states. It works with I-PASS from Illinois. It works with Indiana EZ-Pass. The system works with any EZ Pass Flex Kentucky switchable transponder. This makes E-ZPass interoperability Kentucky a real benefit for travelers.
Kentucky Toll Road Payment Options
RiverLink accepts several Kentucky toll road payment methods. Each method has different costs. Each method has different rules.
Prepaid Account
A prepaid account works like a debit card. You add money to your account. The system deducts tolls as you cross. Auto-reload keeps your balance fresh. You never miss a payment. You never get a late fee.
Pay by Plate
Pay by plate requires no transponder. A camera reads your plate. The system mails a bill. Pay within 30 days. Late payments trigger fees. The Kentucky toll violation fee can reach $50 per unpaid toll.
Pay by Plate with Registered Account
You can open a Pay by Plate account. This lets you register your plate. You get bills through the mail. Your bills draw from a prepaid balance. This saves you from late fees. It still costs more than a transponder account.
How to Pay Tolls Kentucky: Scenarios
How to pay tolls Kentucky depends on where you live. It depends on how often you cross.
Daily Commuters
Daily commuters save the most with EZPassKY. A transponder cuts each crossing in half. Two crossings per day. Twenty work days per month. You save about $88 per month compared to pay by plate. That adds up to over $1,000 per year.
Occasional Drivers
Occasional drivers might not need a transponder. One or two crossings per year may not justify the setup. A pay by plate bill costs more per trip. It removes the need for an account.
Out-of-State Visitors
Out-of-state visitors with EZPass from another state pay the lowest rate. EZPass interoperability Kentucky makes this work. Your existing transponder works on RiverLink bridges. No new account needed.
Visitors Without E-ZPass
Visitors without E-ZPass pay the pay by plate rate. The system reads your plate. A bill arrives at your home address. Pay it on time. Avoid extra fees.
Kentucky E-ZPass Map and Bridge Locations
The Kentucky EZPass map shows three tolled bridges. All three cross the Ohio River near Louisville. Two more bridges stay free. A Kentucky toll bridge locations map helps drivers plan routes.
Tolled Bridge Locations
- Abraham Lincoln Bridge: I-65 Northbound, Louisville to Jeffersonville
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge: I-65 Southbound, Jeffersonville to Louisville
- Lewis and Clark Bridge: SR 265/KY 841, Prospect to Utica
Free Bridge Locations
- Sherman Minton Bridge: I-64, New Albany to West Louisville
- Clark Memorial Bridge: Second Street, Louisville to Jeffersonville
Kentucky Toll Violation and Fee Rules
A Kentucky toll violation happens when you fail to pay. Driving without a transponder and ignoring a pay by plate bill counts. Driving with an empty transponder account counts too. Each unpaid toll can trigger a $25 to $50 fee. Repeat violations can reach court action. Your vehicle registration renewal can be blocked. The EZ-Pass customer service Kentucky team can help. They resolve unpaid tolls. They set up payment plans.
Indiana Kentucky Toll Bridge Operations
Indiana Kentucky toll bridge operations run through a joint authority. The joint authority is called the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Authority. It collects tolls. It sets policies. It funds bridge maintenance. Drivers cross the same bridges regardless of state. The toll rate stays the same. The payment methods stay the same.
Tips to Save Money on Kentucky Bridge Tolls
Smart drivers use these tricks to pay less. Each tip can save real money over time.
Always Use a Transponder
A transponder cuts your toll in half. Forget the transponder and pay double. Mount it on your windshield. Check it often. Make sure it stays active.
Enable Auto-Reload
Auto-reload prevents a low balance. A low balance triggers pay by plate rates. Auto-reload keeps your account funded. Your discounted rate stays active.
Use Free Bridges When Possible
The Sherman Minton Bridge and Clark Memorial Bridge stay free. Use them for non-urgent trips. Use the tolled bridges for interstate routes.
Combine Trips
Combine errands across the river. One crossing instead of two. This lowers your monthly toll cost. It saves time and fuel too.
Check for Frequency Discounts
Watch the official site for program updates. RiverLink may add new frequent driver discounts. Neighboring toll systems already offer similar programs.
E-ZPass Renewal and Account Management
EZ Pass renewal for sticker tags happens automatically. Your account stays active. Your transponder stays mounted. Hard-case transponders have a battery life of about 10 years. The system alerts you when a replacement is needed.
Update Your Account Often
Log in to your EZ Pass online account. Update your plate list when you get a new car. Update your credit card before it expires. Update your address when you move. These steps prevent billing problems.
Check Your Balance Each Month
Check your balance each month. Make sure auto-reload is active. A low balance means pay by plate tolls. Set up text or email alerts. The system warns you before your balance drops too low.
Contact Customer Service for Help
EZPass customer service Kentucky can help with account issues. Maryland On The Go Details Call the customer service line. Visit a walk-in center. Most issues resolve in one call.
Contact Information and Customer Service
Official Website: https://www.e-zpassky.com/
Customer Service Phone: 1-855-748-5465 (1-855-RIV-LINK)
Customer Service Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Closed Sundays and major holidays.
Walk-In Center: 401 W. Main Street, Suite 110, Louisville, KY 40202. Open Monday through Friday during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky E-ZPass Tolled Bridges
What is the cheapest way to pay Kentucky bridge tolls?
The cheapest way to pay Kentucky bridge tolls is with an EZPassKY transponder. A transponder cuts each toll roughly in half compared to pay by plate rates. Daily commuters save the most. A transponder costs nothing for the sticker version. The hard-case version costs $15. The savings add up quickly. Most drivers recover the cost in just a few crossings. The transponder reads at highway speed. No need to stop. No need to slow down. Auto-reload keeps your account funded. You never miss a toll payment. You never pay late fees.
Do I need an E-ZPass to cross the Ohio River bridges?
You do not need an E-ZPass to cross the Ohio River bridges. Two bridges stay free. The Sherman Minton Bridge and Clark Memorial Bridge cost nothing. You can also use pay by plate on the tolled bridges. Pay by plate costs more than E-ZPass. It requires no account. The system mails you a bill. You pay within 30 days. Out-of-state visitors with E-ZPass from another state pay the lowest rate. Anyone can cross these bridges. The method just changes the price.
Can I use my out-of-state E-ZPass on Kentucky bridges?
Yes. EZ Pass interoperability Kentucky accepts transponders from all EZ Pass member states. The system works with I-PASS from Illinois. It works with E-ZPass from Ohio, Indiana, and other states. Your existing transponder pays the lowest rate. No new account is needed. Your home state account handles the billing. This makes travel simple for drivers across the Midwest and East Coast. The same transponder works in over 17 states.
What happens if I forget my transponder?
If you forget your transponder, the system uses pay by plate rates. The camera reads your license plate. A bill arrives in the mail. Pay the bill within 30 days. Late payments trigger extra fees. Keep a spare transponder in your vehicle for emergencies. Mount the transponder behind your rearview mirror before you drive. Check it each time you start your car. A forgotten transponder costs you double for that crossing.
How do I pay a toll violation in Kentucky?
Pay a toll violation through the RiverLink website. Pay by phone. Pay at a customer service center. Pay at a partner retail location. The official site lists all payment options. Pay quickly. Late fees add up fast. Contact EZPass customer service Kentucky if you need a payment plan. Multiple unpaid tolls can block your vehicle registration renewal. The system can refer your account to collections. Resolve violations through the official channels.
Where can I get an E-ZPassKY transponder?
Order an EZPassKY transponder online at the official website. Pick one up at a customer service center. Visit a partner retail location. The sticker transponder comes free with a new account. The hard-case transponder costs $15. Most customers get shipping in 5 to 7 business days. The account opening takes about 10 minutes online. You can drive across tolled bridges the same day you register. Just keep your receipt until the transponder arrives.
Is the Lewis and Clark Bridge tolled in both directions?
Yes. The Lewis and Clark Bridge charges tolls in both directions. This makes it different from the Lincoln and Kennedy bridges. Those charge only one direction. The Lewis and Clark rate stays the same for both trips. E-ZPass users pay the discounted rate. Pay by plate users pay the higher rate. The bridge helps drivers bypass downtown Louisville entirely. It connects KY 841 to SR 265 in Indiana. The route saves time for eastern commuters.