New Jersey Toll Roads Complete Guide: NJ Turnpike, Parkway and Bridges 2026
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New Jersey Toll Roads, Bridges & Tunnels Complete Guide
System: E-ZPass + cash on Turnpike and Parkway; all-electronic on Port Authority crossings and Atlantic City Expressway; cash on some bridges
Coverage: NJ Turnpike (117 miles), Garden State Parkway (173 miles), Atlantic City Expressway (44 miles), Port Authority bridges and tunnels (GW Bridge, Lincoln/Holland Tunnels), Delaware River bridges
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass, cashless tolling gantries, license plate cameras
Operators: NJ Turnpike Authority (Turnpike, Parkway, AC Expressway); Port Authority of NY/NJ; Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission; South Jersey Transportation Authority
Do I Need E-ZPass for New Jersey? 2026 Update
E-ZPass is not legally required, but it provides significant savings on all major NJ toll facilities and is essential for most Port Authority crossings. Without E-ZPass, you pay premium Tolls by Mail rates — often double the E-ZPass rate — and on the Atlantic City Expressway (now cashless as of January 4, 2026) there is no cash option at all.
Key Reality: New Jersey operates one of the busiest toll networks in the United States. The NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway each rank among the nation's most-traveled toll roads. A daily NJ Turnpike commuter can save $500–$1,000+ annually with E-ZPass versus Tolls by Mail rates. The Turnpike and Parkway now charge 3% more than in 2025 following automatic indexing effective January 1, 2026.
2026 Updates: Three major changes took effect January 1–4, 2026. (1) NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway tolls increased 3% effective January 1, 2026 — the fifth annual increase since 2020 under the automatic indexing system approved by the NJTA in 2020. (2) Atlantic City Expressway converted to all-electronic tolling effective January 4, 2026 — no more cash lanes; E-ZPass pays the published rate, non-E-ZPass drivers are billed by mail at double the rate ($13.60 full length + $1 invoice fee). (3) Port Authority of NY/NJ bridges and tunnels (George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel) increased 3% plus $0.25 effective January 2026, with peak E-ZPass now $16.79 and off-peak $14.73.
New Jersey Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
NJ Turnpike & Garden State Parkway — Key Sample Rates, 2-Axle Vehicles (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
| Facility / Route | NJ E-ZPass Rate | Tolls by Mail / Cash | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ Turnpike — Full Length (Exit 1 to Exit 18E) | ~$21.00 (NJ E-ZPass) | ~$21.00+ (Tolls by Mail at premium rates) | Peak/off-peak pricing applies; NJ E-ZPass off-peak saves additional 10% (plus senior/green discount) |
| Turnpike Avg toll per transaction | ~$4.80 avg (NJ E-ZPass, post-3% hike) | Higher (Tolls by Mail) | Average across all vehicle classes and entry/exit pairs |
| GSP Barrier Plazas (large plazas) | ~$2.30 (E-ZPass, post-8¢ increase) | ~$2.30 (cash where available) | Barrier plazas increased 8¢ for 2026 |
| GSP Entry/Exit Ramp Plazas | ~$0.76 (E-ZPass, post-3¢ increase) | ~$0.83 (cash) | Entry and exit ramp tolls increased 3¢ for 2026 |
| Atlantic City Expressway — Full Length | ~$6.80 (E-ZPass, post-3% hike) | $13.60 + $1 invoice fee (no-E-ZPass, cashless) | Went cashless Jan 4, 2026; plate billing at double E-ZPass rate |
Port Authority of NY/NJ Crossings (2026)
| Crossing | E-ZPass Peak (2026) | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Tolls by Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington Bridge | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Lincoln Tunnel | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Holland Tunnel | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
Port Authority peak hours: 6:00–10:00 AM and 4:00–9:00 PM Monday–Friday; all hours on weekends and holidays. Off-peak savings of $2.06 per trip with E-ZPass.
Delaware River Bridges (DRJTBC) — Effective Jan 1, 2026
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission set a new uniform rate for all seven DRJTBC bridges: $2.00 E-ZPass / $5.00 by plate — up from $1.50 E-ZPass in 2025. These bridges cross the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across New Jersey toll roads, use the TollGuru New Jersey toll calculator:
How to Pay New Jersey Tolls
1. E-ZPass NJ (Recommended):
- NJ E-ZPass provides the lowest rates on Turnpike, Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway, and Port Authority facilities
- NJ E-ZPass off-peak discount: additional 10% off on Turnpike and Parkway during off-peak hours (not peak)
- Senior and Green Vehicle Discount: 10% off NJ E-ZPass off-peak rate for eligible vehicles
- Works on all 19 E-ZPass states; open at ezpassnj.com or at customer service centers
- Out-of-state E-ZPass transponders also work in NJ but may not receive all NJ-specific discounts
2. Cash (Turnpike and Parkway only):
- Cash lanes remain at main NJ Turnpike plazas and most Garden State Parkway plazas
- Cash rates are comparable to or slightly higher than E-ZPass rates at these locations (unlike pay-by-plate which is significantly higher)
- Atlantic City Expressway: cash is NOT accepted as of January 4, 2026
- Port Authority crossings: cash windows available at GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel — pay $23.05 (vs $16.79 E-ZPass peak)
3. Tolls by Mail / Pay by Plate (most expensive):
- Cameras capture your plate at cashless gantries; invoice mailed to registered vehicle owner
- Rate is significantly higher than E-ZPass — on Atlantic City Expressway, full-length Tolls by Mail is $13.60 vs $6.80 E-ZPass, plus $1 invoice fee
- On Port Authority crossings: $23.05 Tolls by Mail vs $16.79 E-ZPass peak
- NJ Turnpike Class 5 tractor trailer: $24.12 E-ZPass / $48.24 Toll by Plate (2026)
- Unpaid tolls escalate: violation notices with $5.50 admin fee after 30 days; license/registration suspension after 90+ days
NJ Turnpike — Peak vs. Off-Peak Pricing
The NJ Turnpike uses peak and off-peak pricing for E-ZPass customers. Peak hours are 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:30–6:30 PM, Monday–Friday (based on entry time). All other times — including weekends — are off-peak. NJ E-ZPass off-peak rate = standard NJ E-ZPass rate minus 10%, rounded up to the nearest cent. Seniors (65+) and Green Vehicle (low-emission, fuel-efficient) discount: 10% off the NJ E-ZPass off-peak fare.
Atlantic City Expressway — Now Cashless (January 4, 2026)
The South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) converted the Atlantic City Expressway to all-electronic tolling effective January 4, 2026 — the first all-electronic highway in New Jersey. Cash is no longer accepted at any AC Expressway plaza. Drivers without E-ZPass are billed by mail at double the E-ZPass rate plus a $1 monthly invoice fee. The full 44-mile expressway from the NJ Turnpike connection near Egg Harbor to Atlantic City costs approximately $6.80 with E-ZPass or $13.60 + $1 fee by mail.
Recent Changes (2026)
- Jan 1, 2026: NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway: 3% increase across all vehicle classes; fifth annual increase since 2020; Turnpike avg toll up ~16¢; Parkway barrier plazas up 8¢, ramp plazas up 3¢
- Jan 4, 2026: Atlantic City Expressway went fully cashless — NJ's first all-electronic highway; non-E-ZPass billed at double rate + $1 fee
- Jan 1, 2026: Port Authority crossings (GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel): 3% increase + $0.25; peak E-ZPass $16.79, off-peak $14.73, Tolls by Mail $23.05
- Jan 1, 2026: Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission: uniform $2.00 E-ZPass / $5.00 plate rate on all 7 DRJTBC bridges
- NJ Turnpike Class 5 (tractor trailer): $24.12 E-ZPass / $48.24 Toll by Plate (2026) — up from $23.16/$46.32 in 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do NJ tolls increase every year?
The NJ Turnpike Authority adopted a toll indexing system in 2020 that allows automatic annual 3% increases, replacing the previous system of large infrequent hikes (such as the 50% increase in 2012). The goal is to keep pace with operating costs, maintenance, and capital projects without sudden large increases. The 2026 increase is the fifth consecutive annual adjustment under this system.
Can I use E-ZPass from another state in New Jersey?
Yes. Any E-ZPass from the 19-state network works on all NJ Turnpike Authority facilities and Port Authority crossings. However, the NJ-specific off-peak, senior, and green vehicle discounts may only apply with an NJ E-ZPass account — check ezpassnj.com for current discount eligibility by account type.
Is the Atlantic City Expressway now cashless?
Yes. The AC Expressway became cashless effective January 4, 2026. Cash is no longer accepted. Use E-ZPass for the best rate, or if you drive without a transponder, you will receive a bill by mail at double the E-ZPass rate plus a $1 monthly invoice fee.
New Jersey vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Turnpike, Parkway, AC Expressway, Port Authority crossings | E-ZPass (NJ for peak discounts) | 3% increase Jan 2026; AC Expressway cashless Jan 4 2026 |
| New York | Thruway, MTA bridges/tunnels, CBD congestion pricing | E-ZPass (NY for Thruway discounts) | CBD congestion pricing $9 E-ZPass upheld Mar 2026; Thruway 4.7¢/mile |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Turnpike; most expensive toll road in US | E-ZPass | Annual 5% E-ZPass increase; $0.14–0.20/mile |
| Delaware | I-95 toll, Route 1, US-301, Memorial Bridge | E-ZPass | Connects NJ via Delaware Memorial Bridge; I-95 $5 E-ZPass |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- New Jersey Toll Calculator - Calculate tolls for any NJ route
- E-ZPass NJ - Open account, manage balance, view discount programs; 1-888-AUTO-TOLL
- NJ Turnpike 2026 Toll Schedules - Official PDFs for all vehicle classes
- NJTA Toll Calculator - Official Turnpike and Parkway calculator
- Port Authority of NY/NJ - GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel toll information
- New York Toll Guide - NYC congestion pricing, Thruway, MTA bridges
