Jordan Toll Roads Complete Guide: Rates, Payment & Highway Info 2026
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Jordan Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Manual toll booths (cash) on select highways; no national electronic toll system
Coverage: Desert Highway (Route 15), Dead Sea Highway (Route 65), Dead Sea Road, Zarqa-Azraq corridor
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JD) — 1 JD = 1000 fils
Technology: Staffed toll booths; exact-change lanes available at most plazas
Operator: Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH)
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Jordan? 2026 Update
Yes — if you travel on the Desert Highway (Route 15) between Amman and Aqaba or use the Dead Sea Highway, you will encounter staffed toll plazas requiring cash payment in Jordanian Dinars. Jordan does not operate a national electronic toll tag system; all tolls are collected manually at booths.
Key Reality: Most urban roads in Amman are toll-free. Tolls apply specifically on inter-city highway segments. Rates are low by regional standards — a full Amman-to-Aqaba journey on the Desert Highway typically costs under JD 2.500 in total tolls for a passenger car.
2026 Update: Jordan's Ministry of Public Works confirmed toll rates on the Desert Highway were last adjusted in 2022. No new rate schedule has been issued for 2025-2026. Rates listed below reflect the current operative schedule. Trucks and heavy vehicles continue to face weight-based surcharges at all plazas.
Jordan Toll Costs: Current Rates
Jordan operates a small number of toll plazas concentrated on the Desert Highway (Amman–Aqaba corridor) and the Dead Sea Highway. Rates are flat per-plaza, not distance-based.
Current Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2026)
| Vehicle Class | Desert Highway (per plaza) | Dead Sea Highway (per plaza) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Car / Light Vehicle | JD 0.250 – 0.500 | JD 0.250 | Most common rate; varies by plaza location |
| Minibus / Microbus (7–14 seats) | JD 0.500 – 0.750 | JD 0.500 | Includes shared service taxis (servis) |
| Bus / Coach (15+ seats) | JD 1.000 – 1.500 | JD 0.750 | Tourist coaches and intercity buses |
| Light Truck / Pickup (up to 3.5t) | JD 0.500 – 1.000 | JD 0.500 | Weight-based classification at booth |
| Medium Truck (3.5t – 12t) | JD 1.000 – 2.000 | JD 1.000 | Axle count may affect final rate |
| Heavy Truck / Semi (12t+) | JD 2.000 – 4.000 | JD 2.000 | Overloaded vehicles subject to fines |
| Motorcycle | JD 0.100 – 0.250 | JD 0.100 | Lowest toll category |
Example Journey Costs: Amman to Aqaba (Desert Highway, Route 15)
| Vehicle | Number of Plazas | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Car | 4–5 plazas | JD 1.000 – 2.500 |
| Bus / Coach | 4–5 plazas | JD 4.000 – 7.500 |
| Heavy Truck | 4–5 plazas | JD 8.000 – 20.000 |
Toll Plazas on the Desert Highway (Route 15)
The Desert Highway from Amman to Aqaba (approximately 335 km) is Jordan's primary tolled route. Toll collection points are located at or near the following locations:
- Qatrana Plaza — approximately 95 km south of Amman; primary intercity checkpoint
- Ma'an Area Plaza — near Ma'an city; key plaza for southbound freight traffic
- Ras an-Naqab / Hisma — mountainous descent zone approaching Aqaba Governorate
- Aqaba Approach — final collection point before the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ)
Note: Vehicles entering the Aqaba Special Economic Zone may be subject to separate vehicle entry permits and inspections administered by the ASEZ Authority, distinct from standard highway tolls.
How to Pay Jordan Tolls
All Jordanian toll plazas currently operate on a cash-only basis. There is no national electronic transponder system.
1. Cash (Jordanian Dinars):
- Only accepted currency at all toll booths; foreign currency not accepted
- Exact change or small denominations strongly recommended — booths may have limited change
- Receipts are issued on request at most manned plazas
2. Rental Vehicle Arrangements:
- Rental companies do not have toll account arrangements — drivers pay directly at booths
- Rental agreements typically hold drivers responsible for all tolls incurred
- GPS navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze) accurately mark toll plaza locations in Jordan
3. Trucking / Commercial Freight:
- Overweight and oversize permits are issued by MPWH before travel
- Spot weighing occurs at designated weigh stations near toll plazas on the Desert Highway
- Fines for overloaded vehicles can be issued independently of toll collection
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Jordan's highway network, use the TollGuru Jordan toll calculator.
Jordan's Toll Road Network: Key Routes
Desert Highway (Route 15) — Amman to Aqaba
The most heavily used tolled route in Jordan, stretching approximately 335 km through the eastern desert. It carries the bulk of Jordan's truck freight, phosphate exports to Aqaba Port, and tourist traffic to Wadi Rum and Petra (via the Desert Highway–Kings Highway interchange at Ma'an). Tolls are collected at 4–5 staffed plazas along the route.
Dead Sea Highway (Route 65)
Running along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, Route 65 connects the northern Jordan Valley to Aqaba. A single toll plaza operates on this route. The road is popular with tourists visiting the Dead Sea resorts and the Mujib Biosphere Reserve. Rates are lower than on the Desert Highway.
Toll-Free Roads
The following major routes are toll-free as of 2026:
- Kings Highway (Route 35) — Madaba to Aqaba; scenic route through Petra and Wadi Rum
- Amman Ring Road (Zarqa Link) — Urban bypass roads in greater Amman
- Route 35 (Northern Jordan Valley) — Irbid to the Syrian border area
- East Amman Expressway (partially) — Subject to periodic review for tolling introduction
Recent Changes (2026)
Toll Rate Schedule:
- No general rate increase issued for 2025–2026; rates remain at 2022 levels
- Ministry of Public Works reviewing potential CPI-linked annual adjustment mechanism (not yet enacted)
Infrastructure Developments:
- Expansion of the Desert Highway dual-carriageway sections between Qatrana and Ma'an ongoing as of 2025–2026
- New weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems installed at Qatrana and Ma'an plazas to improve freight enforcement
- Aqaba–Wadi Rum road upgrade underway; no tolls planned for the new alignment
Electronic Tolling Pilot:
- Jordan's MPWH announced a feasibility study in late 2024 for introducing RFID-based tolling on the Desert Highway; no implementation timeline confirmed for 2026
- All current toll collection remains manual cash-based
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Amman to Aqaba full journey: JD 1.000 – 2.500 for a passenger car
- Amman to Petra via Desert Highway + Kings Highway: JD 1.000 – 1.500 in tolls
- Dead Sea day trip from Amman: JD 0.250 – 0.500 one-way
- Bring small JD notes and fils coins — booths at some remote plazas have limited change
Toll-Free Route Alternatives:
- Kings Highway (Route 35): No tolls, but significantly slower with switchbacks through Wadi Mujib — add 2–3 hours versus Desert Highway
- For northern Jordan (Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun): All routes are toll-free
For Truckers and Commercial Operators:
- Overweight permits must be obtained from MPWH in Amman before travel — penalties for non-compliance exceed toll costs
- The Desert Highway is the primary freight corridor to Aqaba Port; plan for weigh station stops at Qatrana and Ma'an
- Night travel (22:00–06:00) is permitted on the Desert Highway and may reduce queue times at plazas
Jordan vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Typical Car Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan | Manual cash booths | JD 0.250–0.500 per plaza | Desert Highway, Dead Sea Highway |
| Israel | Electronic (Fast Lane transponder) + manual | NIS 5–20 per plaza | Highway 6, Carmel Tunnels, several expressways |
| Saudi Arabia | Electronic (Absher/Qstodian) + manual | SAR 2–15 per plaza | King Fahd Causeway, select expressways |
| Lebanon | Manual cash booths | LBP equivalent (low nominal rates) | Beirut–Damascus Highway, North Expressway |
| Egypt | Manual + growing electronic (Nol) | EGP 5–25 per plaza | Cairo Ring Road, Alexandria Desert Road, extensive highway network |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid Jordan tolls completely?
Yes. The Kings Highway (Route 35) runs parallel to the Desert Highway all the way to Aqaba with no toll plazas. It is slower (2–3 additional hours) due to mountainous terrain and passes through Madaba, Kerak, Petra, and Wadi Rum. For travellers already planning to visit Petra, it is often the preferred route despite the extra time.
What happens if I don't pay at a Jordan toll plaza?
Toll plazas in Jordan are staffed barriers — you cannot pass without stopping and paying. There is no licence-plate billing system. Attempting to bypass a booth is a traffic offence subject to fines from Traffic Police stationed at or near most plazas on the Desert Highway.
Do tourists pay the same toll rates as Jordanian residents?
Yes. There is no resident discount or tourist surcharge — all vehicles are charged by vehicle class, regardless of driver nationality or vehicle registration country.
Can I pay Jordan tolls by card or mobile payment?
No. As of 2026, all Jordanian toll plazas accept cash only. Card terminals and mobile payment are not available at booths. Ensure you have sufficient small Jordanian Dinar notes before travelling on the Desert Highway.
Are motorcycles required to pay tolls in Jordan?
Yes, but at the lowest rate tier (JD 0.100–0.250 per plaza on the Desert Highway). Motorcycles are classified separately and pay reduced rates versus passenger cars.
Will Jordan introduce electronic tolling?
A feasibility study for RFID-based tolling on the Desert Highway was announced in late 2024. As of mid-2026, no implementation date has been confirmed and all collection remains manual.
Useful Links & Resources
Regional TollWiki Pages:
- Israel Toll Roads — Electronic Highway 6 system, Fast Lane transponder, Carmel Tunnels
- Saudi Arabia Toll Roads — King Fahd Causeway, RFID toll collection, highway network
- Lebanon Toll Roads — Beirut–Damascus Highway, North Expressway toll information
- Egypt Toll Roads — Cairo Ring Road, Alexandria Desert Road, Nol electronic system
- United Arab Emirates Toll Roads — Salik system, Dubai toll gates, Abu Dhabi roads
- Bahrain Toll Roads — King Fahd Causeway toll (Bahrain side)
Official Jordan Resources:
- Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH): www.mpwh.gov.jo — road permits, overweight vehicle authorisation
- Jordan Traffic Police (Public Security Directorate): www.psd.gov.jo — traffic regulations, fines
- Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority: www.aseza.jo — Aqaba vehicle entry requirements
