Fort Bend County Toll Rates to Rise 2% in January 2026: What Drivers Need to Know
Fort Bend County commuters who rely on local toll roads for their daily travel will see a small toll rate increase beginning January 1, 2026. The Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA) and the Fort Bend Grand Parkway Toll Road Authority officially ratified the change during a board meeting on November 17, 2025, in line with their ongoing annual adjustment policy.
The 2% increase affects key routes including the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road, the Grand Parkway (SH-99), and the Westpark Tollway, including the upcoming FM 1463 Plaza, which is currently under construction. This change applies to all vehicles but will vary depending on the number of axles and whether drivers use a valid toll tag.
Inflation-Linked Policy, Predictable Increases
Toll rates are recalculated each year based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria region, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even though the August 2025 CPI-U rose by just 1.1%, the Toll Rate Order requires a minimum annual adjustment of 2% — so that higher figure takes effect in 2026.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
For example, two-axle vehicles with a tag will now pay:
- $0.77 at the Fondren Plaza (up from $0.75),
- $0.84 at the Westpark Tollway FM 1463 Plaza, and
- $0.47 at Grand Parkway plazas.
Non-tag users will pay roughly $0.25 more per plaza, a continued incentive for drivers to register for and use electronic tags like EZ TAG, TxTAG, or TollTag.
Why It Matters to Local Drivers
For most residents, the difference will be just a few extra cents per trip, especially for those with valid tags. Still, it adds up over time — particularly for regular commuters. The 2026 toll rate schedule also applies the increase to all axles, so multi-axle vehicles will see a higher cumulative cost, as outlined in the official rate tables.
While the increase may seem routine, the decision was made with little public discussion. The annual toll adjustment policy helps fund roadway maintenance, future improvements, and meet revenue benchmarks tied to infrastructure bonds — all essential for sustaining a fast-growing commuter corridor in Fort Bend County.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Growth, Funding, and What’s Ahead
This latest adjustment also coincides with broader transportation planning across the region. As more residents move to fast-growing areas like Fulshear, Richmond, and west Katy, local authorities are expanding and maintaining tollways to meet increased demand. Projects like the new FM 1463 Plaza on the Westpark Tollway aim to ease congestion and improve access — but come with a need for consistent funding.
Toll revenues play a critical role in this growth. They help cover the costs of expansion without burdening taxpayers with new bonds or sales taxes. That said, local officials encourage drivers to use toll tags to save money and reduce administrative costs associated with pay-by-mail billing systems.
A full toll rate schedule is available on the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority’s website, and residents are encouraged to review the new rates before the start of 2026.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
