Mexico Toll Roads Going Cashless: What Drivers Need to Know for 2026

If you drive in Mexico using federal roadways, change is coming. Beginning in January 2026, Mexico’s federal roads and bridges agency, CAPUFE (Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos), will start requiring electronic toll tags at toll booths, with the plan to eventually eliminate cash lanes.

According to Mexico’s transportation authority, CAPUFE operates about 3,750 km of toll roads and 30 bridges across Mexico, including several international crossings. As it works to modernize and streamline traffic flow, there will be fewer cash lanes, allowing faster access to drivers who are ready. Planning ahead will help you avoid long waits and ensure smoother travel.

Key Takeaways

• Timeline: Transition begins January 2026; cash lanes to be reduced and gradually phased out
• Who’s affected: Drivers on federal toll roads, including many busy border-access routes
• Why the change: Faster crossings, less cash handling, better traffic flow
• What to do: Get a toll tag before your trip or soon after crossing the border

CAPUFE says electronic payments can reduce toll-plaza wait times from 30 seconds in cash lanes to about one second with a tag. The change will make a major impact at toll booths where peak traffic wait times can be more than an hour.

Why This Matters to Mexpro Customers

Most of our customers drive their U.S. or Canadian-plated vehicles into Mexico for vacations, business, or winter travel. Toll roads are often the fastest and safest routes, especially during peak seasons like holidays and spring break.

Having a toll tag means:

• You can access faster electronic-only or express lanes.
• You will not need cash to pay tolls.
• You’ll be ready if cash lanes close permanently.

Even if you do not have to carry cash for tolls, it’s always a good idea to carry pesos in Mexico for private roads, tipping, and better prices.

Which Tags Work Best for Visitors from the U.S./Canada?

Mexico has several electronic tag systems. These are the most widely used nationwide:

1. PASE

   • Works on most federal toll roads, many urban highways, some parking lots
   • Available at Mexican OXXO stores, and other retailers after crossing the border
   • Also sold on Amazon México and Amazon U.S. for a higher price
   • Website: pase.com.mx

1. IAVE (Identificador de Vehículos Electrónico)

   • The official government issued tag from CAPUFE (federal highway agency)
   • Order online and pick up at designated locations in Mexico
   • Website: iave.capufe.gob.mx

2. Televia

   • Works on many toll gates across Mexico
   • Requires a Mexican shipping address if ordered by mail
   • Website: televia.com.mx

3. ViaPass

   • Accepted on federal and private highways
   • Mexican address required for delivery
   • Website: viapass.com.mx

PASE or IAVE are the best option for most travelers, as they offer the broadest acceptance nationwide.

Adding Funds to Your Tag

You can add funds or refill your tag as follows:

• At many retailers including: OXXO, 7-Eleven, Walmart, Soriana, or Office Depot
• Provider websites or mobile apps (some may require Mexican credit cards for online payment)
• The UnDosTres app supports PASE and Televía, and may support IAVE or ViaPass; it accepts U.S. credit cards.

Notes for U.S./Canadian travelers:

• Some providers require a Mexican address for shipping
• Some online reloads may not accept U.S. credit cards
• Watch for foreign transaction fees on U.S. cards
• Minimum reload amounts and service fees can apply

Tip: Buy a tag near the border at retail locations when possible.

How to Use Your Toll Tag

1. Load funds onto your tag or link it to your credit card.
2. Follow instructions and correctly install the tag inside your windshield.
3. At toll booths, look for overhead signs to electronic lanes labeled TAG / IAVE / PASE.
4. The system detects your vehicle and deducts the toll automatically.
5. A screen will confirm the charge before the arm lifts to allow you to pass through.

If towing a trailer:

• Extra axles are detected automatically
• Expect higher toll rates

If the reader fails or your brand of pass is not accepted, a manual payment may be required, making it important to still bring pesos with you on your travels.

FAQ

Can I still pay with cash today? Yes, as of October 2025. Expect fewer cash lanes beginning in January 2026, which can slow travel if paying with cash.

Will I be able to use my credit card if I do not have tag? No. For plazas managed by CAPUFE, credit and debit cards have not been accepted since January 1, 2019. Other concession plazas may still allow them, but do not assume universal card acceptance.

Do all toll roads accept the toll tags? Federal ones increasingly do. Some private or state roads may transition later.

Will the toll price be different with a tag? Rates are set by the vehicle type/class. Paying with a tag should not change the posted toll on CAPUFE roads.

Can I share one tag between vehicles? PASE offers a portable tag that can be used in more than one vehicle, though adhesive/exterior versions are not shareable. IAVE tags are tied to a specific vehicle and not shareable.

Do I have to have a tag? The rollout is set to begin in January 2026. Cash lanes will be reduced and gradually eliminated; CAPUFE has not announced an exact date for termination. In some places, like Mexico City, electronic tags are often required for express lanes.

Does this apply to all toll roads in Mexico? No, the January 2026 rule only applies to CAPUFE toll kiosks. There are nearly 11,000 km of toll roads in Mexico and CAPUFE manages only 3750 km.

Where can I get a list of the toll booth locations operated by CAPUFE? See CAPUFE’s official list of toll booth locations in Mexico (PDF).

A More Modern Mexico Travel Experience

Electronic toll tags will make Mexico highway travel faster and safer. When planning a trip by road, plan on getting a toll tag. ¡Buen viaje!