I-485 Express Lanes in Charlotte Will Open Feb. 28 With Tolls

Express lanes on Interstate 485 in southern Mecklenburg County will open Feb. 28. Drivers will pay tolls of at least $8.20 one-way during rush hour. Those traveling from southeast Charlotte or Matthews to I-77 could pay more than $400 monthly in toll fees.

The calculator shows that drivers making this length of commute with an NC Quick Pass should expect to pay at least $100 in tolls weekly. Toll rates will be higher for those without an NC Quick Pass.

During rush hour, drivers could be expected to pay various amounts. Using the toll calculator, drivers are able to calculate the exact amount. Here is a breakdown of rush hour rates from “Start of the Express Lane (Inner)” to “Before I-77”:

"You can't widen your way out of congestion," said Logen Hodges, marketing and communications director of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, to Queen City News. "There are more people moving to Charlotte every day than ever before. We need a long-term solution that's going to be able to give people a more reliable travel time."

Hodges said the express lanes are meant to serve as an option for drivers, not their only choice. The new lanes are not meant to replace existing routes.

"People are going to see some very substantial relief, especially during those peak times," said Hodges. "You're not going to have that bumper-to-bumper traffic as your only option."

Toll rates will vary based on time of day and day of the week. Hodges said drivers should expect lower rates during weekends.

Two-axle vehicles larger than 22 feet in length should expect to pay nearly double the toll rates during peak times on weekdays. The authority will put in place dynamic pricing on the lanes after six to 12 months of evaluation.

Once dynamic pricing begins, toll rates will change in real-time based on congestion, traffic patterns, and vehicle speeds. A driver's initial toll rate will stay locked in until they exit the express lane.