Driving into Manhattan has never been a cheap date. If you've crossed the George Washington Bridge or crawled through the Lincoln Tunnel lately, you probably noticed your E-ZPass balance taking a bigger hit than usual. Honestly, it’s getting harder to keep track of what you’re actually paying.
As of January 4, 2026, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey tolls went up again. This wasn't a surprise to anyone following the agency’s multi-year inflation-adjustment plan, but seeing the actual numbers on your statement still stings. We're talking about a 3% hike across the board for all the major crossings. If you’re driving a standard car, your peak hour E-ZPass rate is now $16.79.
Compare that to just a couple of years ago. It feels like every time we turn around, there’s another quarter or fifty cents tacked onto the bill. And if you don't have E-ZPass? You’re basically paying a "convenience tax" that has spiraled out of control.
Breaking Down the New Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Tolls
The Port Authority doesn't just run the bridges; they manage a massive ecosystem including the PATH train, airports, and the World Trade Center site. Tolls are their primary engine. When they raise rates, it’s usually to fund "state of good repair" projects—which is fancy talk for making sure the bridge doesn't fall into the Hudson.
Here is the reality of the 2026 price structure for Class 1 vehicles (your typical car or SUV):
- E-ZPass Peak: $16.79
- E-ZPass Off-Peak: $14.73
- Tolls by Mail (No E-ZPass): $23.30
The gap between having a tag and not having one is now $6.51 per trip. That is wild. If you commute five days a week without a tag, you are essentially "donating" over $1,600 a year extra to the Port Authority.
Wait, it gets more complicated. The "Off-Peak" window is actually smaller than you might think. Peak hours aren't just the morning and evening rush. On weekdays, it's 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. But on weekends? They consider almost the entire day "Peak"—specifically 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.
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If you’re trying to save that $2 difference by driving in on a Sunday afternoon, you’re out of luck. You’ve gotta be a night owl or an early bird to catch the $14.73 rate.
The Phasing Out of the Off-Peak Discount
Something most people haven't caught onto yet is the long-term plan for that off-peak "discount."
Historically, the Port Authority used lower off-peak rates to try and move traffic away from rush hour. It sorta worked, but the agency is now moving toward a more uniform pricing model. Starting in 2027, they are going to start shaving 50 cents off that discount every year. By 2030, the price you pay at 3:00 AM will be exactly the same as the price you pay at 8:00 AM.
It’s a slow-motion price hike that is already baked into the books.
Where the Money Goes (And Why It Costs So Much)
You might wonder why the George Washington Bridge costs $16.79 while a bridge in the Midwest might be free or cost two bucks.
The GWB is the busiest bridge in the world. Maintenance isn't just a guy with a bucket of paint; it’s a non-stop, multi-billion dollar engineering feat. Right now, the "Restoring the George" program is a $2 billion investment involving 11 separate projects. They are replacing 592 suspension cables. They are fixing the 178th and 179th Street ramps.
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Then you have the tunnels. The Holland Tunnel is currently undergoing massive repairs to fix damage that honestly dates back to Superstorm Sandy. Saltwater and 100-year-old cast iron don't mix well.
The revenue from the port authority of new york and new jersey tolls also subsidizes the PATH rail system, which consistently runs at a deficit. Your bridge toll is essentially paying for the train ticket of the person sitting on the PATH under the river. Whether that’s "fair" is a debate that has raged in Trenton and Albany for decades, but it's the current financial reality.
The Congestion Pricing Factor
We can't talk about Port Authority tolls without mentioning the elephant in the room: Manhattan Congestion Pricing.
Since the MTA launched its zone south of 60th Street, the math for New Jersey commuters has changed. If you take the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels, you are entering right into the congestion zone.
The good news? There is a "crosstown credit."
If you have a valid E-ZPass and enter via the tunnels during peak hours, the MTA gives you a credit toward the congestion fee. For passenger vehicles, that credit is $3.00. It doesn't wipe out the cost, but it prevents the "double-taxation" feeling from being quite as heavy.
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However, if you take the George Washington Bridge and then drive down to 50th Street, you don't get that credit. You pay the full PANYNJ toll and the full MTA congestion fee. For many, this has turned the GWB into a "last resort" for getting into Lower Manhattan.
Discounts You Actually Might Qualify For
Most people just get a standard E-ZPass and call it a day. That’s a mistake. There are niche programs that can save you a fortune if you fit the criteria.
- The Staten Island Bridges Plan (PASI): If you use the Outerbridge Crossing, Goethals Bridge, or Bayonne Bridge frequently, this is a lifesaver. If you make at least three trips a month, the toll drops to $8.40 per trip. That is nearly half the price of the standard peak rate.
- The Green Pass: Do you drive an EV or a plug-in hybrid? You can get a special "Green" tag. It gives you a special off-peak rate of $11.29. But here’s the kicker: you have to specifically request the plan and provide your registration. They don't just give it to you because you bought a Tesla.
- The Carpool Plan: This one is almost a myth now because it requires a specific lane and 3+ people in the car, but it still exists for those who can coordinate it. It’s the only way to get across for under $10 during peak hours.
Practical Steps to Manage Your Toll Costs
Stop letting the Port Authority auto-replenish your account without looking at the numbers. The first thing you should do is log into your E-ZPass account and check your "Plan" status. If you live in Staten Island or drive an EV and aren't on a specific plan, you are burning money.
Second, if you're a casual traveler, check your E-ZPass statement for "Mid-Tier" charges. This happens if your tag doesn't read correctly and they have to bill you by license plate. You get charged $19.55 instead of $16.79. If your tag is more than five years old, the battery might be dying. Get a new one. It’s free to swap.
Lastly, timing is everything—for now. Until the off-peak discount is fully phased out in 2030, aiming for that 10:01 AM crossing instead of 9:59 AM saves you $2.06 per trip. Over a year of occasional trips, that pays for a few nice dinners.
The reality of the port authority of new york and new jersey tolls is that they are only going one way: up. Understanding the schedule of these increases and the interplay with congestion pricing is the only way to keep your travel budget from exploding.
Check your vehicle's eligibility for the Green Pass discount on the official E-ZPass NY or NJ websites to ensure you aren't paying the standard rate for an electric vehicle. Also, verify that your E-ZPass tag is mounted correctly on the windshield; "Mid-Tier" billing errors from failed tag reads are one of the most common ways drivers overpay without realizing it.