High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes allow registered transit, three or more person carpools, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) with the proper AFV license plate (does not include hybrid vehicles) to use the Express Lanes toll-free. Vehicles with fewer than three occupants can choose whether to use the general-purpose lanes or pay for a more reliable trip in the HOT Lanes. Based on the number of vehicles using the HOT Lanes, tolls vary to keep the lanes free-flowing, even during the height of rush hour.

HOT lanes are designed to encourage carpooling and other transit options while also providing a more reliable travel option for vehicles that don’t meet the occupancy requirements. To access the free toll benefits when carpooling on the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes, with three or more people in a vehicle, the driver must have a Peach Pass transponder, Peach Pass Toll Personal or Toll Corporate account, and a Peach Pass Verify mobile app account. BancPass Pay n Go and interoperable toll accounts from other partnering states (E-ZPass, SunPass, QuickPass, etc.) are not eligible for toll benefits through Peach Pass Verify. 

Georgia’s Express Lanes are dynamically priced, meaning as demand for use of the lanes increases, the toll amount rises to ensure that you experience more reliable trip times. The minimum toll rate for all Georgia Express Lanes is $0.10 per mile. You can expect toll rates above the $0.10 per mile minimum to vary based on travel conditions at each express lane facility rather than a predetermined max rate.

You can see the posted toll amount before you enter, allowing you to decide whether you want to use the lanes. Tolls are collected electronically with no toll booths requiring you to slow down or stop. Toll rates are displayed at each lane entry point on changeable message signs. The top rate displayed on the sign is the fee from the upcoming entry point to the next exit, while the bottom rate is the fee from that entry point to the last Express Lane exit. When you exit between entry points, the toll rate will be between the two displayed rates. Once you enter, your toll rate does not change.

When traveling northbound in the I-85 Express Lanes, motorists will see a sign showing the new destination points with a section that reads “NEW TOLL RATES” when approaching the I-85 Extension Express Lanes. When motorists are traveling southbound on I-85, motorists will see a sign with new destination points and rates with a section reading “NEW TOLL RATES” when approaching the I-85 Express Lanes.

Motorists with a registered, active Peach Pass (or a valid interoperable toll pass from E-ZPass, Sun Pass, E-Pass, and Quick Pass) can access the lanes. Vehicles with six or fewer wheels are allowed in the Express Lanes with a valid Peach Pass; tractor-trailers are not allowed. On the I-85 Express Lanes, 3 or more person carpools registered with Peach Pass with the proper carpool designation through the Peach Pass Verify mobile app ride for free. In addition, Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) with the proper AFV license plate (does not include hybrid vehicles), registered motorcycles, state-registered transit vehicles and vanpools, registered law enforcement, and emergency vehicles ride for free on Georgia’s Express Lanes. 

In the event of a stall or breakdown, a shoulder is available so that you can safely pull out of the lane. HERO units patrol the lanes to assist with stalled vehicles and moving vehicles to shoulders. ​ Toll rate signs also may display one of the following messages:

• High Occupancy Toll (HOT) 3+ ONLY– I-85 Express Lanes restricted to carpools of 3 or more. Sign displayed to safely divert traffic out of the Express Lane and around a blockage in the roadway up ahead.
• OPEN TO ALL– Georgia Express Lane is open to all vehicles with less than 6 wheels at no charge, including those without a Peach Pass. Sign displayed to safely divert traffic around a blockage in one or more of the general-purpose lanes.

To report an accident, dial 511 from any phone and when prompted, say “HERO” for motorist assistance. Motorists can also switch to touch tone mode and select “option 1” for assistance.

High Occupancy Toll (HOT) 3+ or 3 or more person carpools will not be charged for trips on the I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes, if you have a Peach Pass transponder, Peach Pass Toll Personal or Toll Corporate account, and use the Peach Pass Verify mobile app to verify each carpool trip. Please remember to verify before leaving, and reverify once you arrive at your destination. For more information on Peach Pass Verify, click here.

If you have traveled along Georgia’s I-85 Express Lanes or the I-85 Extension Express Lanes and saw the alert indicating that the free toll is pending, your trip will recover once your phone is charged and turned back on. But you will still be required to end your trip and re-verify to receive the free toll benefits.

New Peach Pass Customers must wait 1 hour after activating the transponder before taking their first trip.