The cost to use the I-85 HOT lane through Gwinnett and DeKalb counties reached a new high during Tuesday morning's commute.

The charge to drive the 16-mile stretch of I-85 in the express lane climbed to $4.75 at 7:18 a.m. Tuesday. At 8:07, the price dropped back down to $3.85.

The previous high, $4.70, had been reached on several mornings this month.

The HOT lane toll is set on a sliding scale depending on the level of congestion on I-85 and in the HOT lane.

According to the State Road and Tollway Authority's website, “when HOT lanes become too congested, the price increases and this in turn reduces the number of cars entering the lane.”

The website says that the authority’s goal is to keep traffic in the HOT lane moving at an average speed of greater than 45 mph during peak hours.

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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC