About the Project

About the Project

Using the 66 Express Lanes

The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project provides 22.5 miles of new express lanes (two lanes in each direction alongside three general-purpose lanes), with dedicated express lanes access ramps, and median space reserved for future transit.

Tolling and HOV-3+ rules are in effect, with information displayed on roadway signs. The change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ applies across the entire I-66 corridor between Route 15 in Haymarket and Route 29 in Rosslyn – including 66 Express Lanes located inside and outside the Beltway.

Approximately nine miles of new express lanes opened ahead of schedule in September 2022 in the western segment between Route 29 in Gainesville and Route 28 in Centreville, providing early travel improvements to I-66 travelers. The full 66 Express Lanes corridor from Route 29 in Gainesville to I-495 (Capital Beltway) opened ahead of schedule in November 2022.

How to Use the 66 Express Lanes

  • Overhead electronic signs prior to and along the 66 Express Lanes corridor display toll prices so that drivers know the cost to travel the lanes before entering any toll segment. Once on the express lanes, drivers will see pricing for the next segment so they can decide to continue along or exit. Toll prices are locked in before entering each segment of the lanes. Multiple entrances to and exits from the express lanes allow drivers to choose how many segments to use in a trip, so a single trip may include more than one toll segment.
  • Toll rates adjust periodically to manage demand for the lanes and keep traffic free-flowing. When there’s more traffic, prices will be higher. When there’s less traffic, prices will be lower.
  • I-66 Express Mobility Partners operates the lanes and has a customer web site, Ride66Express.com, that includes:
    • Additional information about toll pricing and signage
    • Toll pricing for larger vehicles
    • Billing and customer service information
    • Trip planning tool providing roadway pricing

Outside the Beltway Express Lanes Access Map

High Occupancy Vehicles

  • Eligible high occupancy vehicles (HOV) with an E-ZPass Flex in “carpool mode” can use the 66 Express Lanes toll free.
  • The express lanes are now in operation as HOV-3+ offering toll-free travel in the 66 Express Lanes inside and outside the Beltway, as well as access to the remaining HOV lane between Haymarket (Route 15) and Gainesville.
  • The E-ZPass Virginia website contains information about getting a transponder and setting up an account.
  • VDOT and the region’s Commuter Connections program have partnered to offer an incentive of up to $366 per person for new HOV-3+ carpools traveling in the I-66 corridor. To find out how to collect the cash reward after three months of carpooling and to sign up for the Pool Rewards program, click here. Registration closes February 28, 2023.

Park and Ride Lots and Commuter Bus

  • The University Boulevard Park and Ride lot opened in 2019 offering 1,000 spaces and Omniride commuter bus service. New routes are planned in early 2023, and an additional 1,000 spaces will open later in 2023.
  • The Balls Ford Road Park and Ride lot opened in fall 2022. Commuter bus service expansion is planned in early 2023 and the lot’s full 1,300 spaces are planned to be open by summer 2023.
  • PRTC’s OmniRide Express offers commuter bus service between the Manassas-Gainesville-Haymarket area and major employment centers including downtown Washington, Pentagon, L’Enfant Plaza, Navy Yard, Rosslyn, Ballston, Crystal City, and Tysons. Learn more about routes and schedules here.

About the Project

For more information about the 66 Express Lanes Outside the Beltway, visit Ride66Express.com. For customer service and maintenance concerns, call 833-643-2867.

Resources

66 Express Lanes Fact Sheet – PDF, 500KB