The Motorist Guide on Top tips to cut your highway toll costs: PLUS, LPT, and More

Traveling on Malaysia’s highways can be a breeze with well-maintained roads and fast connections between major cities. However, frequent toll payments on highways like PLUS, LPT, and others can quickly add up. Here’s how you can save on tolls, calculate your expenses, and make your road trips more cost-effective!

1. Use Toll Discounts and Rebates

Malaysia’s highway operators, especially PLUS and LPT, often offer rebates and discounts during specific times, usually around major public holidays. Here’s how you can benefit:

• Holiday Rebates: During festive periods like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali, PLUS offers toll rebates ranging from 10% to 50%. These discounts are often available to users who pay electronically using TnG cards or RFID tags.
• Late-Night Discounts: Some highways offer discounts for off-peak travel. PLUS occasionally gives discounts during non-peak hours (e.g., midnight to 5 am) to encourage less congested travel times.

Make sure to check announcements on highway operators' websites or social media channels before embarking on a journey during these periods.

2. Get an RFID Tag or TnG Card

Switching to cashless toll payment systems not only saves time but also helps you take advantage of rewards and promotions. Here’s how each method works:

• RFID Tag: The Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag allows for seamless toll payments using your vehicle's unique RFID sticker. You link it to your Touch ‘n Go (TnG) eWallet, and promotions like cashback offers or bonus credits are regularly available. RFID lanes tend to be faster than TnG lanes, saving you time on the road.
• TnG Card: Most Malaysian drivers are familiar with the TnG card, a must-have for toll payments. Pair it with the TnG eWallet app to earn bonuses, cashback, and real-time tracking of your toll expenses. With various top-up options available, you can also avoid the inconvenience of having insufficient balance at toll gates.

Check the TnG app or RFID promotions regularly for limited-time offers or partnerships that reward you for frequent highway use.

3. Carpool or Rideshare

Splitting toll costs is one of the simplest ways to save. If you’re traveling with friends, family, or colleagues, carpooling can help reduce individual toll charges, as well as save on fuel costs. Plus, fewer cars on the road mean less congestion and a greener environment.

Many highways in Malaysia, including PLUS and LPT, have electronic toll rates based on the type of vehicle. Splitting these fees with fellow passengers ensures each person pays significantly less, while you still enjoy the convenience of a direct, fast route.

4. Plan Your Route Smartly

Modern navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze can help you avoid toll roads if you’re not in a rush. These apps show both toll and toll-free route options, allowing you to choose whether the time saved by taking a toll road is worth the money.

• Toll-Free Alternatives: For instance, if you’re traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, you could take toll-free routes like the Federal Route 1. Although it might add some time to your journey, it could save you RM30 to RM50 on tolls.
• Real-Time Toll Cost Estimates: Apps like Waze provide you with an estimated toll cost when planning your trip, so you know exactly what to expect and can compare it against toll-free alternatives.

This method is particularly useful if you’re on a tight budget or not in a hurry to reach your destination.

5. Maximize Toll-Free Periods

Certain highways, especially major expressways like PLUS and LPT, have toll-free periods or reduced rates during off-peak hours. You can use these periods strategically to reduce costs.

• Late-Night and Early-Morning Travel: PLUS offers reduced toll rates or rebates for drivers who travel during late-night hours (e.g., midnight to 5 am) on certain days. Not only do you save money, but you also avoid the heavy traffic that builds up during peak travel times.

Always check the specific toll operator’s website for updated information on toll-free or discounted travel periods.

6. How to Calculate Highway Tolls in Malaysia

Understanding how to calculate highway tolls can help you estimate your travel costs and identify potential savings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to calculating tolls on Malaysia’s major highways:

a. Identify Your Route and Entry-Exit Points

Highway tolls in Malaysia are typically based on the distance traveled between entry and exit points. First, determine which highways you will be using (e.g., PLUS, LPT) and identify your entry and exit points.

b. Determine the Vehicle Category

Tolls vary depending on the type of vehicle. Common categories include:

• Category 1: Cars, motorcycles, and other light vehicles.
• Category 2: Goods vehicles and buses.
• Category 3: Heavy vehicles like trucks and trailers.

Ensure you know your vehicle’s category to apply the correct toll rates.

c. Use Toll Rate Charts

Each highway operator provides toll rate charts based on distance and vehicle category. Here’s an example for the PLUS Expressway:

Distance (km)Category 1 (RM)Category 2 (RM)Category 3 (RM)

Note: Rates are illustrative. Always refer to the latest rates on the official PLUS website.

d. Calculate the Distance Traveled

Use a map or navigation app to determine the exact distance between your entry and exit points on the highway. For instance, if you enter at kilometer 10 and exit at kilometer 110, you’ve traveled 100 kilometers.

e. Apply the Toll Rates

Using the distance and vehicle category, apply the corresponding toll rates. For example:

• Vehicle Category: 1
• Distance Traveled: 100 km
• Toll Cost: RM3.50 (for 51-100 km)

If you’re traveling a longer distance, sum the tolls for each segment. For instance, traveling 160 km would involve:

• 0-50 km: RM2.00
• 51-100 km: RM3.50
• 101-150 km: RM5.00
• 151-160 km: RM1.50 (pro-rated from the 151-200 km segment)
• Total Toll: RM12.00

f. Utilize Online Toll Calculators

To simplify the process, use online toll calculators provided by highway operators:

• PLUS Toll Calculator: Visit the PLUS Malaysia Berhad website and use their toll calculator tool by entering your entry and exit points along with your vehicle type.
• LPT Toll Calculator: Similarly, the LPT Malaysia website offers a toll calculator for their expressways.

These tools provide accurate toll estimates based on real-time rates and distances, saving you time and ensuring precision.

7. Frequent Traveller Programs

If you’re a regular commuter on certain highways, some operators offer loyalty programs that give discounts or rebates based on how frequently you use their roads.

• PLUSMiles Program: This loyalty program rewards frequent highway users with rebates that can be redeemed for toll discounts. The more you travel, the more points you collect, which translates into savings over time.

Read More: List of Malaysia highway toll rates - PLUS, KLK, LPT, and others

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