Honduras Toll Roads Complete Guide: CoviPass, CA-5 Norte & Rates 2026
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Honduras Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Single toll highway (CA-5 Norte) with 3 toll stations
Coverage: Tegucigalpa to Puerto Cortes via San Pedro Sula (350 km, 391.82 km concession)
Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL / L)
Technology: CoviPass RFID electronic prepaid; cash at toll booths; electronic card payment
Operator: COVI Honduras SA de CV (20-year concession since 2012, Ecuadorian-owned); supervised by SIT (Secretaria de Infraestructura y Transporte)
Do I Need CoviPass for Honduras Tolls? 2026 Update
No, CoviPass is not required - but it speeds up passage at Honduras's three toll stations on the CA-5 Norte. Cash payment is fully accepted at all three casetas. Honduras has only one tolled highway in the entire country; all other national and departmental roads are completely free to use.
Key Reality: The CA-5 Norte is Honduras's most important highway, handling approximately 73% of the country's light vehicle national traffic between Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Puerto Cortes. The three toll stations are at Zambrano, Siguatepeque (Comayagua), and Santa Cruz de Yojoa (Cortes).
2026 Update: COVI Honduras announced a rate increase effective January 15, 2026 (light vehicles from L22 to L31 per station), based on the contractual formula linked to Honduras and US CPI and the USD/HNL exchange rate. The increase was postponed during negotiations with the Secretaria de Infraestructura y Transporte (SIT) under the outgoing administration of President Xiomara Castro. COVI subsequently announced the increase would proceed from March 1, 2026 under the incoming government of President Nasry Asfura - however, a separate, equally-dated (February 28, 2026) report directly quotes an official SIT communique stating the opposite: "Se ha llegado al acuerdo de NO REALIZAR ningun incremento a la tarifa de peaje en la CA-5 de ninguna de las categorias" ("An agreement has been reached to NOT implement any increase to the CA-5 toll rate in any category"), with that same source listing rates as remaining at the original 2020 levels (light vehicles L22). Verify the current rate directly at a CA-5 Norte toll booth or at covih.com before travel.
Honduras Toll Costs: Current Rates (Status Uncertain - See Above)
CA-5 Norte Toll Rates Per Station - Two Possible Current Rates
| Vehicle Category | Original 2020 Rate (per SIT communique, still in effect per that source) | Proposed March 2026 Rate (per COVI's announcement) |
|---|---|---|
| Light vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickups) | L22 | L31 |
| 2-axle vehicles (vans, small trucks) | L90 | L122 |
| 3-axle vehicles (buses, trucks) | L134 | L184 |
| 4-axle vehicles | L179 | L245 |
| 5-axle vehicles | L224 | L306 |
| 6-axle vehicles | L269 | L367 |
| 7-axle vehicles | L314 | Not separately confirmed in this review |
| 8-axle vehicles | L359 | Not separately confirmed in this review |
| 9-axle vehicles | L403 | Not separately confirmed in this review |
Important: These two columns represent genuinely conflicting reports about the same rate schedule, both dated February 28, 2026. The "Original 2020" column comes from a source directly quoting an official SIT government communique stating no increase would be applied. The "Proposed March 2026" column comes from COVI's own announced intent to implement the increase. Which one is actually being charged at the toll booths as of your travel date could not be confirmed with a source dated after February 28, 2026 - check directly with COVI (covih.com) or ask at the toll booth before assuming either figure.
The 3 Toll Stations on CA-5 Norte
| Station | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zambrano | Zambrano, Francisco Morazan | First to begin collection (2014); highest traffic share (35% of total vehicles per 2023 data) |
| Siguatepeque | Comayagua department | Began collection 2015 |
| Santa Cruz de Yojoa | Cortes department | Began collection 2015; near San Pedro Sula |
The concession contract was signed July 24, 2012, and has generated over L5,900 million (approximately $237 million USD) in toll revenue for COVI across more than a decade of operation, per 2024 reporting. In 2023 alone, approximately 14.2 million vehicles passed through the three stations combined.
To calculate toll costs for all vehicle types on the CA-5 Norte, use TollGuru Honduras toll calculator:
How to Pay Honduras Tolls
1. CoviPass (Electronic Prepaid):
- RFID tag system; toll deducted automatically from prepaid account - no stopping required in express lane
- Available from COVI Honduras customer service offices
- Recommended for frequent users on the Tegucigalpa-San Pedro Sula corridor
2. Cash (Lempiras):
- Honduran lempiras accepted at all three toll booths
- Transport sector (approximately 85% of toll payments) predominantly uses cash
3. Electronic Card:
- Electronic card payment available at toll booths
Vehicle classification: COVI has stated that at each toll station, vehicle type is verified against the registration documents (boleta de revision) to ensure billing accuracy - a response to driver complaints in 2025 about unexpected reclassification to a higher rate tier.
Recent Changes (2026)
- January 8, 2026: COVI Honduras announced a rate increase effective January 15, 2026 (light vehicles L22 to L31, a 40.9% increase - described by one source as 8 times the 2024 annual inflation rate of 4.98%), citing the expiration of a 2024 agreement with the outgoing government not to pass the annual contractual adjustment on to users
- The announcement drew criticism, noting it came shortly after the LIBRE party - which had campaigned on eliminating the CA-5 toll - lost the general election
- The increase was postponed during subsequent negotiations between COVI and SIT under the outgoing Castro administration (which ended January 27, 2026)
- February 28, 2026: Two conflicting reports emerged on the same day - one (Infobae) stating COVI would proceed with the increase from March 1, 2026 under the new Asfura government, and another (Tunota, quoting an official SIT communique verbatim) stating an agreement had been reached to apply NO increase to any vehicle category, with rates remaining at 2020 levels
- No source dated after February 28, 2026 was identified in this review to resolve which outcome ultimately took effect
- World Bank $187M Sustainable Connectivity Project and CABEI $606.9M financing remain active for CA-5 Norte expansion and improvement works
- CA-5 Norte remains Honduras' primary and only operational toll corridor
Planning Your Journey
- Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula (via CA-5 Norte, ~250 km): L66 total in tolls for light vehicles at the pre-increase (2020) rate, or L93 total if the March 2026 increase did take effect - confirm current rate before budgeting your trip precisely
- Full Tegucigalpa-Puerto Cortes route: same total, since all 3 stations are on this stretch
- Alternative toll-free routes exist on secondary roads but significantly increase travel time
- COVI provides free roadside services: ambulance, road assistance, security patrols, SOS cabins throughout the concession
- CA-5 Norte is considered the best highway in Central America: 60% with 4 lanes, separated median
Honduras vs. Central American Neighbours
| Country | System | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honduras | CoviPass + cash | L22-L31 per station (cars) - status contested, see above | CA-5 Norte only (3 stations) |
| Guatemala | SiVAPass + cash | Q15.25 per crossing | Palin-Escuintla + VAS |
| El Salvador | None - toll-free | $0.00 | All roads free |
| Nicaragua | None - toll-free | $0.00 | All roads free |
| Costa Rica | QuickPass + cash | CRC 50-1,875/booth | Routes 27, 1, 32 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula?
A light vehicle pays either L22 or L31 at each of the 3 toll stations, depending on which of two conflicting February 2026 reports about a proposed rate increase actually took effect - L66 or L93 total one way. This is a genuinely unresolved question as of this review; confirm the current rate at the toll booth or with COVI directly.
Did toll rates increase in 2026?
COVI announced an increase for January 15, 2026, which was postponed during government negotiations. COVI then announced the increase would proceed from March 1, 2026. However, a report from the same date (February 28, 2026) quotes an official SIT government communique stating explicitly that no increase would be applied to any vehicle category, with rates remaining at 2020 levels. No source dated after that day was found to confirm which outcome held. Verify the current rate directly with COVI or at the toll booth.
Is the CA-5 Norte the only toll road in Honduras?
Yes. Honduras has only one tolled highway in the entire country. All other national highways, departmental roads, and urban roads are completely free to use.
Useful Links & Resources
- COVI Honduras - official rate schedule, closest source for confirming which 2026 rate is currently applied
- SIT Honduras - government transportation ministry, oversight of the CA-5 Norte concession
- Guatemala Toll - northern border toll information
- El Salvador Toll - southern border, toll-free
- Nicaragua Toll - southern border, toll-free
- Belize Toll - Caribbean coast neighbour, toll-free
- Costa Rica Toll - further Central American travel
