Congestion Pricing
Congestion pricing is a type of road pricing that reduces traffic congestion by shifting some trips to different times of day or changing how people make their trip, like non-driving means and carpooling.
Congestion pricing works best on heavily congested roads. It uses tolls that vary in cost depending on the time of day. Toll prices are higher during peak driving times (like rush hour) and lower during less busy driving times (like late at night). This encourages drivers to use the road during less-congested times or travel by non-driving means.
Congestion pricing can have several benefits for people in Oregon:
Less traffic during peak rush hour, leading to more reliable travel times.
More people choosing active, non-driving ways to get around, which improves community health.
More reliable and efficient goods movement.
Raises revenue for local governments to invest back into road maintenance.
Helps lower greenhouse gas emissions by limiting growth in vehicle miles traveled (if designed and managed to meet that objective).
It doesn’t take much to see these benefits. A national study found that removing a small fraction (potentially as small as 5%) of vehicles from a congested area can lead to significant travel efficiency improvements.
Congestion pricing: Emissions reduction vision
Congestion pricing can both manage congestion and provide sustainable revenue for transportation improvements.
Oregon’s 2013 Statewide Transportation Strategy vision for emissions reduction included congestion pricing or tolling as part of the mix of pricing policies that need to be in effect by 2050.
ODOT will partner with the Oregon Legislature to identify options, including tolls, to address our urgent transportation needs.
How Oregon is doing
Congestion pricing in Oregon has grown more uncertain over the last 10 years.
In 2017, the Oregon Legislature directed the Oregon Department of Transportation to design a program to manage congestion and raise revenue for transportation improvements. However, in 2024 Governor Tina Kotek directed ODOT to pause that work so that the state legislature could further evaluate and provide clearer direction on tolling.
As of 2026, ODOT is awaiting legislative direction.
*The Interstate Bridge Replacement program is exempt from this pause; Washington will collect the bridge toll revenue.
How Oregon can improve
ODOT will continue to work with the Oregon Legislature to identify solutions for congestion and transportation funding. Like many transportation agencies in states and cities across the country, ODOT believes tolling is a critical component of a safe, modern, and sustainably funded transportation system.
If the Oregon Legislature reinstates tolling, ODOT will need to continually refine the program. Fine-tuning the tolling system will be key to managing urban travel, reduce congestion, keep freight moving, limit the need for new lane miles, support emission reductions, and maintain an equitable system for all travelers.