Ohio Turnpike Commission

What Ohio Turnpike Commission does

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is a government instrumentality of the State of Ohio that operates a 241-mile toll road corridor connecting the Pennsylvania border to the Indiana border across northern Ohio. Established by the Ohio General Assembly and headquartered at 682 Prospect Street in Berea, Ohio, the Commission opened the turnpike on October 1, 1955, and currently deploys over 1,000 workers during construction season across eight maintenance garages. Its mission centers on safety, customer experience, system conditions, and financial stewardship of one of the nation's major freight corridors. The Commission serves two primary customer segments: individual passenger vehicle travelers and commercial trucking companies operating across at least 26 states, with secondary relationships to service plaza operators and infrastructure partners.

The Commission's core technology stack includes the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system deployed in 2009, upgraded in 2024 with open road tolling that removes gates at 20 interchange toll plazas and enables nonstop highway-speed passage. Video-based license plate recognition captures unpaid tolls for invoicing, and a 60-mile fiber-optic network is adapted for vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications through the DriveOhio partnership. Supplementary infrastructure includes 14 service plazas offering Sunoco fuel, food service tenants (Dunkin', Wendy's, Jimmy John's, Burger King, Panda Express, and others), EV fast-charging stations via Electrify America, Tesla Supercharger, and Applegreen Electric, plus trucker lounges and RV overnight parking. The Full-Depth Pavement Replacement Program, estimated at $1.4 billion through 2040, renews the original 1950s-era pavement.

The Commission generates revenue primarily through toll collection, with E-ZPass customers receiving discounts up to 50% versus cash payments. Additional revenue streams include special hauling permits for overweight and oversize commercial loads (processed through an online permitting system), service plaza operations (third-party managed fuel and food), and active collections on $5.2 million in unpaid tolls owed by 315 commercial trucking companies across 26 states. Distribution is direct via toll plaza interchanges and E-ZPass retail partners including Giant Eagle, GetGo, Discount Drug Mart, AAA Clubs, and Ohio BMV locations, supplemented by self-serve online account management. The Commission funds operations through toll revenue and bond issuance rather than equity, and is governed by appointed commissioners under Executive Director Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E. (since 2020) and Chief Engineer/Deputy Executive Director Chris Matta, P.E.

Name

Ohio Turnpike Commission

Legal name

Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission

Website

https://ohioturnpike.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission operates a 241-mile state-owned toll road connecting Pennsylvania to Indiana, serving passenger vehicle travelers and commercial trucking companies with E-ZPass electronic tolling, open road tolling, 14 service plazas, and EV charging infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Toll Road Infrastructure & Transportation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Road Transportation (4884)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) & Transponder/Tag Systems (RFID/DSRC) (TLAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Back-Office Toll Transaction Processing, Billing & Customer Account Management (TLAJABAC), Managed Services & Operations Outsourcing for Tolling/RUC Programs (TLAJABAL), Toll Violation Management, Collections & Dispute Resolution (TLAJABAG), Interoperability & Clearinghouse Services (Multi-Agency Toll Settlement) (TLAJABAF)

Keywords

• Toll road operations
• Electronic toll collection
• Open road tolling
• Commercial hauling permits
• Highway infrastructure services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berea

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Toll Collection: The Commission generates primary revenue through toll collection from passenger vehicles and commercial trucks using the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike. E-ZPass customers receive discounts (up to 50%) compared to cash toll payments. All travelers must complete their journey within 24 hours or face max fare charges.
2. Special Hauling Permits: Commercial trucking companies operating overweight, overdimensional, or convoy vehicles must obtain permits through the Commission's permitting system, generating additional revenue.
3. Service Plaza Operations: Third-party operated retail, food, and fuel services at 14 service plazas along the turnpike, with revenue derived from fuel sales (Sunoco), food service tenants, and convenience store operations.
4. Unpaid Toll Collections: The Commission actively pursues collection of unpaid tolls from commercial trucking companies. Commercial truck companies in 26 states owe approximately $5.2 million in unpaid tolls currently in collections.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission operates a 241-mile toll road across northern Ohio, providing safe and efficient transportation for passenger vehicles and commercial freight. Its core commercial offering consists of E-ZPass electronic toll collection (with open road tolling for nonstop highway-speed passage, video-based invoicing, and up to 50% discounts vs. cash), 14 service plazas offering Sunoco fuel, branded dining, and EV fast-charging, and an online overweight/overdimensional permit system for commercial trucking. Operations are supported by a $1.4 billion multi-decade Full-Depth Pavement Replacement Program, a fiber-optic connected vehicle/V2X network, and PCI-DSS-compliant third-party payment processing.

Product overview

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission operates a 241-mile toll road as a single unified infrastructure service. The core offering consists of the turnpike itself supplemented by electronic toll collection via E-ZPass, a modernized open road tolling system with highway-speed detection and video-based billing, and 14 service plazas offering fuel, food, EV charging, and trucker amenities. Additional services include an online permit system for commercial trucking companies, toll fare calculators, and incident management protocols. The Commission is undergoing a major Toll Collection System Modernization initiative that includes open road tolling deployment and gate removal at interchanges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ohio Turnpike Toll Road Service A 241-mile toll road spanning from the Pennsylvania border to the Indiana border, providing safe and efficient transportation for passenger vehicles and commercial freight as one of the nation's major freight corridors. Customers access the road at 20 toll plaza interchanges via cash payment, E-ZPass, or video-based license plate invoicing.
• E-ZPass Electronic Toll Collection Subscription-based electronic toll collection service: prepaid E-ZPass accounts with transponders (priced at $12 at retail) and online account management at ezpassoh.com, offering customers up to 50% savings versus cash payment and interoperability with other E-ZPass agencies.
• Open Road Tolling System Highway-speed, gateless toll collection system using overhead E-ZPass readers and video-based license plate recognition, allowing E-ZPass customers to travel nonstop through plazas and mailing invoices to non-E-ZPass travelers.
• Service Plazas (14 locations) Network of 14 traveler service plazas along the turnpike offering Sunoco fuel (under a Fair Fuel Price Guarantee within 3 cents of off-turnpike average), branded food operators including Dunkin', Wendy's, Jimmy John's, Freshëns, Burger King, Panda Express, Sbarro, and Baskin-Robbins, convenience retail, trucker lounges with shower facilities, RV overnight parking with electrical hookups, ATMs, Ohio Lottery, and E-ZPass vending machines.
• Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Stations EV fast-charging infrastructure deployed at multiple service plazas under partnership with Electrify America (50kW, 150kW, and 350kW DC Fast Chargers), Tesla Supercharger, and Applegreen Electric, providing charging access to passenger and commercial EV travelers across the corridor.
• Overweight, Overdimensional and Convoy Permit System Online permitting service for commercial trucking companies operating overweight, overdimensional, or convoy vehicles on the Ohio Turnpike, providing user account management and online permit application processing with associated fees based on load characteristics.

Quantifiable outcome

• E-ZPass customers can save up to 50% on tolls compared to cash payments
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Friends of Freedom SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership to install Underground Railroad Historical Markers at Sandusky and Portage Counties in 2020, coinciding with upcoming native pollinator garden installations at Commodore Perry, Erie Islands, Brady's Leap, and Portage Service Plazas.
• Ohio History ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner for Underground Railroad Historical Markers installation highlighting Ohio freedom seekers' paths, including locations along present-day Ohio Turnpike.
• Electrify AmericacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Electric vehicle charging station provider at Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas. Stations feature 50kW, 150kW, and 350kW DC Fast Chargers. First stations opened at Wyandot and Blue Heron Service Plazas in Genoa, with additional locations at Indian Meadows and Tiffin River.
• Tesla SuperchargercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Tesla Supercharger stations available at Ohio Turnpike service plazas for Tesla electric vehicle owners, expanding EV charging infrastructure along the corridor.
• Keep Ohio BeautifulcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership to install Native Pollinator Plant Gardens at Ohio Turnpike Service Plaza locations. First gardens installed in 2016 at Middle Ridge and Vermilion Valley Service Plazas, featuring 17 different Ohio-native plant species. Additional gardens installed at Mahoning Valley and Glacier Hills in 2017.
• The Davey Tree Expert Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partner with Keep Ohio Beautiful and Ohio Turnpike for native pollinator plant garden installations. Davey Tree provides expert guidance on native plant selection and installation at service plazas.
• Transcore, LPcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party payment processor for E-ZPass account transactions. Transcore processes all payment card transactions in adherence to PCI-DSS standards. The Ohio Turnpike does not collect, store, or directly process payment card information.
• SunococoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary fuel provider at Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas. Sunoco prices are required to be within 3 cents of the average off-turnpike station prices. Operates 24-hour fueling islands for both passenger and commercial vehicles.
• Applegreen ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationEV charging provider at Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas, including Erie Islands location, expanding electric vehicle charging options for travelers.
• Ohio State Highway PatrolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for traffic enforcement, high visibility patrols, and safety campaigns. OSHP conducts speed enforcement in work zones and partners on public safety announcements regarding distracted driving and work zone safety.
• Ohio Trucking AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Driver of the Year awards program recognizing professional truck drivers with exceptional safety records on the Ohio Turnpike. Ohio Turnpike salutes finalists at commission meetings.
• International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBTTA membership enables participation in global roadway safety initiatives including Be Safe Together campaign and Global Road Safety Week. Ohio Turnpike's Executive Director serves as chair of IBTTA's safety committee.
• DriveOhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio Turnpike is a DriveOhio partner, contributing to Ohio's advanced connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) research initiatives. The turnpike provides a fiber-optic network being adapted for vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications.
• Bowling Green State University - Firelands CampusStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at Customer Appreciation Events providing human trafficking prevention information and education to travelers.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kansas Turnpike Authority: Operates a 236-mile toll road in Kansas, structurally similar in scale (within 5 miles of the Ohio Turnpike's length). Co-recipient of the 2025 IBTTA Toll Excellence Award, indicating peer-level operational benchmarks.
• Florida's Turnpike Enterprise: Operates 500+ miles of limited-access toll facilities in Florida as part of FDOT. Similar state-authority structure, E-ZPass/SunPass interoperability, and ongoing open-road tolling conversion program.
• New York State Thruway Authority: Operates the 570-mile New York State Thruway. Comparable state-authority toll-road business model with E-ZPass, open-road tolling modernization, and significant commercial freight corridor operations.
• Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission: Operates the 550-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike, directly connecting to the Ohio Turnpike at the state border. Same E-ZPass interoperability, similar age and capital renewal profile, and identical commercial-truck customer base make it the most direct functional peer.
• New Jersey Turnpike Authority: Operates the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway - 320+ miles of toll infrastructure with comparable E-ZPass integration, heavy commercial truck usage, and similar capital-intensive maintenance programs.
• Indiana Toll Road (ITR Concession Company): Operates the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road, which directly connects to the western terminus of the Ohio Turnpike. Same freight-corridor use case, E-ZPass acceptance, and commercial trucking customer base.
• Illinois Tollway: Operates nearly 300 miles of toll roads in northern Illinois including the Tri-State Tollway. Co-recipient of the 2025 IBTTA Toll Excellence Award with the Ohio Turnpike, and operates with comparable E-ZPass-based electronic tolling and open-road tolling migration.

Others

• TransCore: Third-party payment processor and tolling technology vendor for Ohio Turnpike E-ZPass accounts. Key technology enabler and a leading supplier to peer turnpike authorities across the U.S.
• International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA): Industry trade association for toll operators globally. Ohio Turnpike's Executive Director chairs its safety committee; relevant as a peer benchmarking body and as the source of industry-standard awards and operating practices.
• E-ZPass Group (Interagency Group): Interoperability consortium of 25+ toll agencies operating E-ZPass. Not a competitor but the underlying interoperability network that creates Ohio Turnpike's transponder network effects - critical infrastructure enabler.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ohioturnpike
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OhioTurnpike
• Facebookfacebook.com/OhioTurnpike
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-turnpike-commission
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohioturnpike

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ohio Turnpike Commission