Toll tax 650% higher in India than in the US, claims Redditor; NRIs fact-check, saying ‘don’t come to the US, you’ll cry’

How much are Indians really paying in tolls compared to Americans? If a viral Reddit post is to be believed, the difference is staggering — nearly 650 per cent more!

According to the post, driving for 19 hours across highways in India would cost around ₹1,400 (roughly $15) in tolls. In contrast, the same 19-hour drive in the U.S. would cost only about $2.

Addressing non-resident Indians (NRIs), the Redditor wrote: "All you NRIs crying in the comments — I’m not saying you should come back if you feel hurt about paying congestion or city tolls, but just remember the difference between what you earn, what we earn, and what we get in return (corruption and scams included)."

The Redditor clarified that the comparison was made specifically for long highway trips between states, not for daily commutes. For routine travel, he suggested using public transport or carpooling.

One commenter humorously remarked: "That money is to maintain potholes. Otherwise, they’ll never appear again."

But not everyone agreed. Another user pointed out that the comparison was misleading: "Tolls in the U.S. are not on interstate highways but on city expressways or near airports, where there’s heavy traffic and tolls generate significant revenue. I personally pay $2 each way — $4 per day — just for a 20-minute commute."

The same user elaborated further, noting that many Americans avoid toll roads by using slower, toll-free routes — but that leads to higher fuel consumption, tire wear, and maintenance costs. They also highlighted that without a prepaid toll pass (like a TX TollTag), tolls can cost $0.44 per mile, adding up to $6–$8 per day.

The person added, "If you don't think USA taxes you, you are grossly mistaken, even if you think "no state income tax" is magical like some people seem to think inside and outside in USA, you can guarantee they will get all that money back in some other way (healthcare costs, property tax, federal income tax, social security tax, etc). There's no safe space against taxation, just be glad your children don't get shot up in schools on a daily basis.""

Another Redditor chimed in with a regional perspective: "You must not live in California, because we pay $7 every day — sometimes more — for just local travel."

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit for informational purposes. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.