This week, tolls have increased by an average of 2%. Already 2% is an average on the territory, but depending on the sections of motorways, the motorway companies too, there are differences. Advice from Fanny Guinochet.
franceinfo: How to go regarding avoiding paying too much for our trips on these highways?
Fanny Guinochet: Sometimes the increase is barely a few cents, where elsewhere it is a euro more. Consult the site autoroutes.fr which lists the different rates, and then check which class your vehicle belongs to, because according to the different categories, the rates change.
And do your calculations according to your destination, but sometimes certain sections are so expensive that it is better to avoid them, which means doing part of it on the secondary network, which is free, and the rest on the motorway, on the less expensive.
And can we save by splitting the trip?
Yes, because motorway companies have got into the habit of charging less for short journeys. For long journeys, it can be advantageous. Instead of doing the trip all at once, fragment it. By leaving a little earlier than your destination, going around a roundregarding and re-entering the motorway once more, you can save a few euros.
Some sites, like highway-eco, or the péago app, help you do the math. This trick is a little restrictive, but it can save you between 10 and 20%, provided you calculate the gasoline or fuel used in addition.
Are there also subscription systems?
Yes, and it is relevant for motorists who use the highway every day, less for occasional vacationers. Most motorway companies apply discounts for those who regularly take the same route, that is to say most often, to go to work. This little boost was put in place in 2019, in the midst of the “yellow vests” crisis, and it has been made permanent.
It depends on the highways, but if you make the same trip more than 10 or 20 times a year, you can earn up to 30% off. But, for that, you have to take out an electronic toll subscription, subscription for the year, or for the month, the monthly subscription generally costs between 2 and 3 euros.
And we also remember that on the highways everything is more expensive…
Yes, and first of all, fuels with prices between 8 and 10% higher than in conventional stations. So be careful, fill up first. If you forgot, the site, the application “La bonne exit d’autoroute” allows you to find the cheapest station closest to the motorway, and therefore exit at the right place to go to the pump.
