Use E-ZPass at Gas Pumps and Drive-Thrus in New York; Here's How

The same convenience of rolling right through a toll booth without using cash or credit is coming to your local gas station and fast food drive-thru.

Imagine pulling up to a gas pump, quickly fueling up and then just driving away without ever swiping a card or going inside to pay cash. Or how about zipping through the fast food drive-thru without ever making a physical transaction? That's not just a futuristic dream, the technology is already being used in New York.

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E-ZPass Payments at Gas Stations and Drive-Thru Locations

According to E-ZPass, customers will soon be able to use their tags at retail locations to pay for gas, food and other items. Enrolled users who drive up to a participating gas pump or drive-thru will be identified by the transponder on their car. The system will automatically text the driver to confirm the transaction and supply an e-receipt when the purchase is complete.

An example on the E-ZPass website shows a car approaching a gas pump and being greeted with a text message. The driver confirms which pump they are at, fuels up and then receives a text with their receipt.

The system would presumably work the same way at a fast food drive-thru.

E-ZPass

Where are E-ZPass Payments Accepted?

In a press release, E-ZPass says that new locations will be added to the network over the next two years. In Albany, E-ZPass is already being used by customers at some retail parking lots but has yet to roll out to gas stations and drive-thrus. A pilot program is currently underway at about a half-dozen gas stations in Boston, Massachusetts and retail locations in Raleigh, North Carolina.

While we don't have a specific list of businesses that are signing on to the service, E-ZPass says that "several hundred" will be announced over the next two years.

How to Enroll in E-ZPass Retail Payments

Before taking advantage of the new feature, E-ZPass customers will need to enroll in Pay By Car. Drivers can learn more about the program and register their tags online.

What New York State Thruway Rest Stops Looked Like in the 1950s

According to the Thruway Authority, the very first rest stops were erected in the mid-1950s offering travelers cafeteria-style food, coffee, and snacks. Today, these rest stops are going through their second major remodel which will bring new restaurants and amenities for Thruway travelers. According to these old images from the Thruway Authority, our local rest stops have come a long way in seventy years.

Gallery Credit: Boris