Michigan Toll Roads Complete Guide: Bridges, Tunnels and Gordie Howe 2026
Click on the map to open toll wiki for a country/state
Michigan Toll Bridges & Tunnels Complete Guide
System: Toll bridges and tunnels only — no toll highways. Each facility has its own payment system; E-ZPass not accepted anywhere in Michigan
Coverage: 5 domestic and international toll crossings: Mackinac Bridge, Grosse Ile Bridge, Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Blue Water Bridge, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge; plus the new Gordie Howe International Bridge opening spring 2026
Currency: US Dollar (USD) and Canadian Dollar (CAD) accepted at border crossings
Technology: Facility-specific transponders (MacPass, Premier Pass, NexPass, EDGE Pass); cash at all locations
Operators: Michigan DOT (Mackinac, Blue Water, Sault bridges), Private (Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Gordie Howe International Bridge / WDBA)
Do I Need a Special Transponder for Michigan? 2026 Update
No single transponder works across all Michigan toll facilities. Cash is accepted everywhere and is often the simplest option for travelers crossing multiple Michigan bridges. Each facility operates its own electronic payment system — and critically, E-ZPass from any state is NOT accepted at any Michigan toll crossing.
Key Reality: Michigan has no toll highways. All Michigan interstates, including I-75, I-94, I-96, and I-196, are completely toll-free. Tolls only apply at specific bridge and tunnel crossings. For most road trips within Michigan, you will pay zero tolls.
2026 Updates: Two significant rate increases took effect in January 2026. The Ambassador Bridge car toll rose from $9 to $10 (effective December 1, 2025 / January 2026). The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel raised rates by $0.75, bringing the car toll to $9.00 for card users. Most importantly, the Gordie Howe International Bridge — a new publicly-owned span connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario — announced toll rates in March 2026 and is expected to open to traffic in spring 2026. With passenger car rates of $5.75 USD (standard) or $4.35 USD (Breakaway program), it is significantly cheaper than the Ambassador Bridge and offers intense competition to existing crossings.
Michigan Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
All Michigan Toll Facilities — Passenger Car (2-Axle) Rates
| Facility | Car Rate (Cash) | Electronic / Account Discount | Crossing / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mackinac Bridge | $4.00 (2-axle, $2/axle) | MacPass: free return trip within 36 hrs | Upper ↔ Lower Peninsula (I-75); 5-mile suspension bridge; cash avoids 2.3% credit card fee |
| Ambassador Bridge | $10.00 (effective Dec 2025) | Premier membership: up to 50% discount; $150 initial deposit | Detroit ↔ Windsor, ON; privately owned; busiest US-Canada crossing |
| Detroit-Windsor Tunnel | $9.00 (card; effective Jan 2026) | NexPass transponder available | Detroit ↔ Windsor, ON; world's only vehicular underwater border crossing; handles ~12,000 vehicles/day |
| Gordie Howe International Bridge (NEW — Spring 2026) | $5.75 USD / $8 CAD (standard) | Breakaway account: $4.35 USD / $6 CAD (25% discount) | Detroit (I-75) ↔ Windsor (Hwy 401); publicly owned; opening spring 2026; significantly cheaper than Ambassador |
| Blue Water Bridge (I-94/I-69) | Variable (per current MDOT schedule) | EDGE Pass accepted | Port Huron ↔ Sarnia, ON; MDOT-operated; USD or CAD accepted |
| Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge | Variable (per current schedule) | IQ Prox card: 10–30% discount by usage volume | Sault Ste. Marie, MI ↔ Sault Ste. Marie, ON; 30 mph bridge speed limit; MDOT-operated |
| Grosse Ile Toll Bridge | $7.00 (credit card, round trip) | Bridge Pass: $4.00 round trip (residents) | Riverview ↔ Grosse Ile; local bridge; license plate cameras for missed tolls |
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Michigan toll facilities, use the TollGuru Michigan toll calculator:
Gordie Howe International Bridge — New Spring 2026
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a major new publicly-owned crossing connecting I-75 in Detroit directly to Ontario's Highway 401 in Windsor, eliminating the need to drive through city streets. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) announced toll rates in March 2026 and an opening date of spring 2026 (specific date pending final commissioning).
| Vehicle Type | Standard Rate | Breakaway Member Rate (25% off) | vs. Ambassador Bridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles (under 2.3m / 7.5 ft high) | $5.75 USD / $8 CAD | $4.35 USD / $6 CAD | Ambassador: $10 (42% cheaper at standard rate) |
| Commercial trucks (per axle, standard rate) | $8.75 USD / $12 CAD per axle | $6.90 USD / $9.60 CAD per axle | Ambassador: $15/axle (41% cheaper at standard rate) |
Breakaway discount program: Initially launched for business accounts; set to expand to personal passenger vehicle accounts. Provides electronic tag payment in under 5 seconds at any open toll lane with no stopping required. Register at gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com.
Key features: 6 traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes, 60 US and Canada inspection lanes; direct highway-to-highway connection (I-75 to Hwy 401); funded almost entirely by Canada through the WDBA.
Facility-Specific Payment Systems
Mackinac Bridge — MacPass: Prepaid account linked to your vehicle; free return trip within 36 hours (commuter discount). $40 initial deposit / $20 refill deposits. American Express no longer accepted. Credit card payments at the plaza carry a 2.3% convenience fee — paying cash avoids this. MacPass only works on the Mackinac Bridge; not compatible with E-ZPass or other systems. Speed limit: 45 mph; no stopping or U-turns; driver assistance service available 24/7 for drivers uncomfortable crossing ($10 + applicable toll). mackinacbridge.org
Ambassador Bridge — Premier Membership: Prepaid account offering up to 50% discount. $150 initial deposit (auto-recharges when balance falls below $25). USD and CAD accepted at the booth. Motorcycles, buses, and passenger cars all assessed as single flat toll. Heaviest commercial trucks assessed per axle and per weight. ambassadorbridge.com
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel — NexPass: Electronic transponder for the tunnel. USD and CAD accepted at the booth. Tunnel handles approximately 12,000 vehicles daily. The only vehicular underwater border crossing in the world. Commercial truck height restrictions apply — check current limits before routing trucks through the tunnel.
Blue Water Bridge — EDGE Pass: Two spans (1938 original + 1997 newer) crossing the St. Clair River at Port Huron, MI to Sarnia, ON. Cash, USD, or CAD accepted. MDOT-operated.
Sault Ste. Marie Bridge — IQ Prox Card: Volume discount of 10%, 20%, or 30% depending on number of crossings in the previous 30 days. 30 mph speed limit on the bridge; USD or CAD accepted. Connects the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, ON across the St. Marys River.
Grosse Ile Toll Bridge — Bridge Pass: 0.2-mile swing bridge across the Detroit River connecting Riverview to Grosse Ile Township. Round-trip tolls collected from vehicles heading to Grosse Ile. Bridge Pass for residents: $4.00 round trip. Credit card: $7.00. Commercial vehicles up to $32 (credit card); not eligible for Bridge Pass. License plate cameras capture missed tolls; invoices mailed to registered owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does E-ZPass work in Michigan?
No. E-ZPass is not accepted at any Michigan toll facility. Each bridge and tunnel operates its own separate payment system. Cash is the universal option accepted everywhere.
Is there an alternative to the Mackinac Bridge?
No. The Mackinac Bridge is the only year-round surface connection between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. There is no alternative road or free crossing. The toll is unavoidable for surface travel between the two peninsulas.
Which Detroit crossing should I use to get to Canada?
As of spring 2026, you have three options: the Ambassador Bridge ($10 car), the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel ($9 car), and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge ($5.75 standard / $4.35 Breakaway). The Gordie Howe Bridge is the newest, most affordable, and the only highway-to-highway direct connection. For commercial trucks, the Gordie Howe Breakaway rate ($6.90/axle) is significantly cheaper than the Ambassador ($15/axle).
Are there toll roads inside Michigan?
No. Michigan has no toll highways. All interstates and state highways — including I-75, I-94, I-96, M-10, and others — are completely toll-free. Tolls only apply at the specific bridge and tunnel crossings listed in this guide.
Michigan vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Bridges and tunnels only; no toll roads | MacPass / Premier / NexPass (facility-specific) | No E-ZPass; Gordie Howe Bridge opening spring 2026 |
| Ohio | 241-mile Ohio Turnpike; E-ZPass + cash | E-ZPass | Connects to Indiana Toll Road at west; 7.3¢/mile E-ZPass in 2026 |
| Indiana | 157-mile East-West Toll Road + Louisville bridges | E-ZPass + cash (AET by 2027) | ~$16 full length; connects to Chicago Skyway |
| Illinois | 294-mile all-electronic tollway system | I-PASS / E-ZPass | Connects via Chicago Skyway from Indiana |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- Michigan Toll Calculator - Calculate Michigan bridge and tunnel tolls
- Mackinac Bridge Authority - Official rates, MacPass, driver assistance service
- Ambassador Bridge - Auto toll rates, Premier membership
- Gordie Howe International Bridge - Toll rates, Breakaway registration, opening date
- Blue Water Bridge Toll Rates - MDOT official rate schedule
- Mackinac Bridge Complete Guide - Detailed rates, MacPass, commuter program
