New York Toll Roads Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Thruway and Congestion Pricing 2026
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New York Toll Roads, Bridges & Tunnels Complete Guide
System: Multi-authority: E-ZPass + cash/plate on NY Thruway; all-electronic on MTA bridges and tunnels; congestion pricing on Manhattan CBD
Coverage: 570-mile NYS Thruway (I-90/I-87), NYC bridges and tunnels (MTA and Port Authority), Manhattan CBD Congestion Relief Zone, upstate bridges
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass transponders (19-state network), cashless all-electronic tolling, license plate cameras, dynamic time-of-day pricing
Operators: NY Thruway Authority, MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Port Authority of NY/NJ, NYC MTA (congestion pricing)
Do I Need E-ZPass for New York? 2026 Update
E-ZPass is not legally required on most New York toll roads, but without it you pay significantly higher Tolls by Mail rates — and on all MTA bridges and tunnels, E-ZPass is the only way to get the standard rate (without it, you're automatically billed at the higher video/plate rate). For the Manhattan CBD Congestion Relief Zone, both E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail are accepted, but E-ZPass at $9 per crossing saves $4.50 versus the $13.50 Tolls by Mail rate.
Key Reality: New York operates the most complex toll network in the United States, with at least four separate toll authorities collecting tolls across the New York metropolitan area and 570-mile Thruway system. A daily commuter using multiple NYC toll facilities can save $1,000+ annually with E-ZPass. NY E-ZPass provides the best Thruway rates (~4.7¢/mile) and access to the congestion pricing $9 rate rather than $13.50.
2026 Update — Congestion Pricing Upheld: The Central Business District Tolling Program (congestion pricing) launched January 5, 2025. The Trump Administration moved to revoke federal approval, but a federal judge ruled on March 3, 2026 that the revocation was unlawful. Congestion pricing remains fully in effect as of May 2026. The MTA released its first one-year evaluation report on January 5, 2026, documenting immediate decreases in vehicle traffic, faster travel times, improved air quality, and increased pedestrian activity in the congestion zone. The toll is $9 E-ZPass / $13.50 Tolls by Mail for standard passenger vehicles during peak hours (5 AM–9 PM weekdays, 9 AM–9 PM weekends); overnight rate is $2.25 E-ZPass / $3.38 Tolls by Mail.
New York Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
Manhattan CBD Congestion Relief Zone (Current 2026)
| Vehicle Type | Peak E-ZPass (5 AM–9 PM wkdy; 9 AM–9 PM wknd) | Peak Tolls by Mail | Overnight E-ZPass (75% off) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, small vans | $9.00 | $13.50 | $2.25 |
| Motorcycles | $4.50 | $6.75 | $1.05 |
| Small trucks (single-unit) and charter buses | $14.40 | Higher | $3.60 |
| Large trucks (multi-unit) and tour buses | $21.60 | Higher | $5.40 |
Congestion Relief Zone boundary: Manhattan south of and including 60th Street, excluding the FDR Drive, West Side Highway (Route 9A), and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street. Drivers using only the FDR Drive or West Side Highway — without entering local streets — are not charged. The toll is charged on entry to the zone, not exit.
Crossing credits: Vehicles entering via the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, or Hugh L. Carey Tunnel receive a credit of up to $3 (passenger cars) applied against the congestion zone toll during peak hours — reducing the net cost when using those paid tunnels. The toll is charged only once per day for the same vehicle regardless of how many times it enters the zone.
Phase-in schedule: The current $9 peak rate (60% of the full $15 rate) will remain through 2027. The rate will increase to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031.
NY State Thruway — Key Rates (2026)
| Route | NY E-ZPass Rate | Tolls by Mail | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per mile (NY E-ZPass, Class 1 passenger) | ~4.7¢/mile | Higher rate | Rate unchanged 2024–2026; next increase Jan 1, 2027 to 4.9¢/mile |
| NYC → Albany (full main line, ~145 miles) | ~$6.80 | Higher | I-87 North; major NY city pair |
| NYC → Buffalo (full I-90 length, ~~280 miles) | ~$13.00 | Higher | Full I-90 westbound on the Thruway |
| Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee) | Variable (base + $0.50/yr increase 2024–2027) | Higher | Commuter discount plan (40% off); Westchester/Rockland resident 20% discount |
NYC Metro Bridges & Tunnels (2026)
| Facility | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Tolls by Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington Bridge (Port Authority) | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Lincoln Tunnel (Port Authority) | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Holland Tunnel (Port Authority) | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (MTA) | ~$10.67 | Lower | Higher plate rate; Staten Island resident discount available |
| Queensboro (Ed Koch) Bridge (MTA) | ~$8.71 | Lower | Higher plate rate |
| Queens-Midtown Tunnel / Hugh L. Carey (MTA) | ~$9.11 approx | Lower | Higher plate rate; provides congestion pricing crossing credit up to $3 |
Toll-free NYC bridges: Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, and Queensboro Bridge (for non-tolled ramp access) are entirely toll-free and provide cross-East River access for all vehicles without charge.
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across New York toll roads, use the TollGuru New York toll calculator:
How to Pay New York Tolls
1. E-ZPass NY (Recommended for all facilities):
- NY E-ZPass provides the best rates on Thruway (~4.7¢/mile), MTA bridges and tunnels, and the congestion pricing zone ($9 peak)
- Out-of-state E-ZPass transponders work on all NY facilities at the same E-ZPass rate
- Open or manage at e-zpassny.com | 1-800-333-8655; or purchase at 500+ retail locations statewide
- All MTA bridges and tunnels are fully cashless — E-ZPass is the primary payment; otherwise Tolls by Mail applies
2. Tolls by Mail / Pay by Plate (most expensive):
- License plate cameras on all cashless facilities (all MTA, Port Authority, congestion zone) capture your plate and mail a bill to the registered vehicle owner
- Rates significantly higher: congestion zone $13.50 vs $9 E-ZPass; Port Authority $23.05 vs $16.79 E-ZPass peak
- Unpaid tolls escalate: $5.50 admin fee after 30 days; registration/license suspension after 90+ days
- NY Thruway: cash accepted at some plazas; Tolls by Mail available when no cash lane present
3. Cash (Thruway and Port Authority only):
- NY Thruway: cash accepted at most mainline plazas with staffed lanes
- Port Authority (GW Bridge, Lincoln/Holland Tunnels): cash windows available alongside E-ZPass lanes for the NY-NJ crossings
- All MTA bridges and tunnels: cash NOT accepted — fully cashless since 2021
- Congestion Relief Zone: cash NOT accepted — fully electronic via E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail
NY State Thruway — System Overview
The New York State Thruway is one of the longest toll roads in the United States, spanning approximately 570 miles (including the entire I-87/NYS Northway system). Key sections include I-90 from the NYC metro area through Albany, Syracuse, and Rochester to Buffalo and the Indiana/Pennsylvania border, plus I-87 northward from the New York City area through the Hudson Valley to Albany and the Adirondacks.
Thruway rate structure: NY E-ZPass ~4.7¢/mile for Class 1 passenger vehicles through the end of 2026. On January 1, 2027, a scheduled 5% increase will raise the NY E-ZPass rate to ~4.9¢/mile. The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (former Tappan Zee) receives $0.50 annual increases to its base NY E-ZPass toll rate from 2024–2027 in addition to the system-wide adjustment.
Regional Toll Information
NYC Metro Area:
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge - Connects Brooklyn and Staten Island; MTA-operated; ~$10.67 E-ZPass; Staten Island residents receive significant discount
- George Washington Bridge - World's busiest bridge; Port Authority; peak/off-peak pricing
- Lincoln Tunnel - Three-tube tunnel to New Jersey; Port Authority; same rates as GW Bridge
- Queens-Midtown Tunnel - Manhattan to Queens; MTA; provides congestion pricing crossing credit
- Hugh L. Carey (Brooklyn-Battery) Tunnel - Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn; MTA; provides congestion pricing crossing credit
- Throgs Neck Bridge - Bronx to Queens; MTA
- Bronx-Whitestone Bridge - Bronx to Queens alternative; MTA
NY State Thruway:
- NY State Thruway - Complete 570-mile system guide; I-90 from NYC to Buffalo
- Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee) - Hudson River crossing; $0.50 annual toll increases 2024–2027; commuter and resident discounts
- Grand Island Bridges - North and South Grand Island Bridge near Niagara Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NYC congestion pricing still active in 2026?
Yes. The program launched January 5, 2025 and has remained continuously in effect. A federal judge ruled on March 3, 2026 that the Trump Administration's attempt to revoke federal approval was unlawful, and the program continues operating. The $9 E-ZPass / $13.50 Tolls by Mail peak rate is scheduled to remain through 2027 before rising to $12 in 2028.
Can I use E-ZPass from another state in New York?
Yes. Any E-ZPass transponder from the 19-state network works on all New York toll facilities at the same E-ZPass rate. However, NY-specific discount programs (Thruway commuter plans, Cuomo Bridge Commuter Discount, Staten Island resident discount) typically require a NY E-ZPass account.
When will the NY Thruway raise rates again?
The NY Thruway's current rate structure (from the January 2024 increase) runs through December 31, 2026. The next scheduled system-wide toll adjustment is January 1, 2027, when NY E-ZPass rates increase 5% from ~4.7¢/mile to ~4.9¢/mile.
New York vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Thruway, MTA bridges/tunnels, Port Authority, CBD congestion | E-ZPass (NY for discount programs) | Most complex toll network in US; congestion pricing upheld Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey | Turnpike, Parkway, AC Expressway, Port Authority crossings | E-ZPass (NJ for peak discounts) | 3% increase Jan 2026; AC Expressway went cashless Jan 4 2026 |
| Connecticut | No passenger car tolls | N/A (truck tolls only) | I-95 and I-84 toll-free for cars through Connecticut |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Turnpike; highest toll rates in US | E-ZPass | Annual 5% increases; connects to NY Thruway at Buffalo |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- New York Toll Calculator - Calculate tolls for any NY route including congestion pricing
- E-ZPass New York - Open account, manage transponder, view discounts; 1-800-333-8655
- MTA Congestion Relief Zone - Official CBD toll rates, exemptions, and discount plans
- NY Thruway Authority - System-wide toll rates, service plazas, travel advisories
- MTA Bridges & Tunnels - NYC bridge and tunnel rates, E-ZPass
- Port Authority of NY/NJ - GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel information
- NY Thruway Complete Guide - Detailed per-exit rates and commuter programs
