High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes are tolled lanes that operate alongside existing highway lanes to provide users with a faster and more predictable travel option. Buses, carpools (HOV-3), motorcycles and emergency vehicles will have free access to the Beltway HOT lanes. Drivers with fewer than three occupants can pay to access the lanes.

Tolls for the HOT lanes will change according to traffic conditions to regulate demand for the lanes and keep them congestion free – even during peak hours. When traffic increases, tolls will go up. When traffic decreases, tolls will go down.

Fully electronic tolling on the HOT lanes will allow customers to pay tolls with E-ZPass – eliminating the need for toll booths. Electronic signs will display toll rates to help drivers decide whether to use HOT lanes. Drivers will lock in their toll rate when they enter the HOT lanes.

Watch an overview of the HOT lanes

The HOT lanes project includes the introduction of HOV and reliable transit options to the Beltway and Tysons Corner. Watch the video below for more information about carpooling on the HOT lanes.

Carpooling on the HOT Lanes

The HOT lanes will also improve key interchanges and provide new access points at Merrifield and Tysons Corner. For more information about these improvements and to learn what it will be like to drive in the HOT Lanes, watch the following videos.

I-66 and Tysons Corner Access Improvements

Tysons Corner and Route 7 Improvements

Lee Highway and Merrifield Access Improvements

For an accessible version of the video, please contact (571) 527-2068.