George Washington Bridge Toll Rates 2026
Tolls collected eastbound only (entering New York). Westbound into New Jersey is free.
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 7 May 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY & NJ
New Mid-Tier rate of $19.55 applies to NY/NJ E-ZPass tags that are improperly positioned (~9% of transactions, effective 6 July 2025). PANYNJ is also phasing out the off-peak discount over four years starting January 2027 (50¢/year until off-peak equals peak in 2030).
Calculate Your Exact GWB Toll
Your vehicle, your payment method, your crossings, per week, month, and year.
Quick Facts
Complete 2026 Toll Rate Table
All vehicle classes. E-ZPass peak hours: weekdays 6-10 AM and 4-8 PM. Off-peak includes evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays.
| Vehicle Type | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car (2 axle) | $16.79 | $14.79 | $23.30 |
| Carpool (3+ occupants, E-ZPass) | $14.79 | $14.79 | $23.30 |
| Motorcycle | $15.79 | $13.79 | $23.30 |
| Small truck (2 axle, dual rear) | $45.34 | $43.34 | $51.34 |
| Large truck (3 axle) | $68.01 | $65.01 | $77.01 |
| Truck (4 axle) | $90.68 | $86.68 | $102.68 |
| Truck (5 axle) | $113.35 | $108.35 | $128.35 |
| Truck (6+ axle, base) | $136.02 | $130.02 | $154.02 |
| Bus (2 axle, 10+ seating) | $21.00 | $16.00 | $30.00 |
Rates set by the Port Authority of NY & NJ. Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 7 May 2026. See detailed truck & commercial rates.
How George Washington Bridge Tolls Work
The George Washington Bridge connects Fort Lee, New Jersey with Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and carries approximately 103 million vehicles per year, making it one of the busiest bridges in the world.
Tolls on the GWB are collected in one direction only: eastbound, when you enter New York. If you are driving westbound from New York into New Jersey, you cross for free. This one-way toll system applies to all six Port Authority crossings between the two states, including the Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel.
The bridge is entirely cashless. There are no toll booths staffed by attendants and no coin baskets. If you have an E-ZPass transponder, your toll is deducted electronically as you drive through at highway speed. If you do not have E-ZPass, cameras capture your license plate and a bill is mailed to the registered vehicle owner at the higher Toll-by-Mail rate. Learn about all GWB payment methods.
E-ZPass vs Toll-by-Mail: Which Should You Use?
E-ZPass is the cheapest way to cross the George Washington Bridge. A passenger car with E-ZPass pays $14.79 during off-peak hours or $16.79 during peak hours. Without E-ZPass, the same crossing costs $23.30 via Toll-by-Mail, regardless of the time of day. A new Mid-Tier rate of $19.55 (introduced 6 July 2025) applies when an NY/NJ E-ZPass tag is improperly positioned and reads via plate match instead of transponder.
For a daily commuter making 10 crossings per week (5 round trips), the annual savings with E-ZPass range from roughly $3,385 to $4,425 compared to Toll-by-Mail, depending on whether you travel during peak or off-peak hours. E-ZPass transponders are available free or at low cost through participating agencies. See full E-ZPass rate details and how to sign up.
Peak vs Off-Peak Hours
The Port Authority charges higher E-ZPass rates during peak commuting hours to help manage congestion. Peak hours are weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. All other times are off-peak, including weekday midday hours, evenings after 8 PM, overnight, and all day on weekends and major holidays.
Toll-by-Mail rates do not vary by time of day. The flat $23.30 rate applies at all times. This means the discount for crossing during off-peak hours is an exclusive benefit of using E-ZPass. Note that PANYNJ has approved a four-year phase-out of the off-peak discount starting January 2027: the off-peak rate will rise 50¢/year and equal the peak rate by 2030. See the full peak and off-peak schedule and phase-out plan.
How to Save Money on GWB Tolls
The simplest way to reduce your toll cost is to get E-ZPass. Beyond that, commuters can save by shifting their crossing time to off-peak hours, carpooling with the Green Pass program (which gives the off-peak E-ZPass rate to vehicles with 3 or more occupants at all times), or considering alternative crossings like the Tappan Zee Bridge for certain routes. Read our complete guide to saving money on GWB tolls.
About the George Washington Bridge
Opened on October 25, 1931, the George Washington Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. Designed by engineer Othmar Ammann, the bridge spans 4,760 feet across the Hudson River. A lower level was added in 1962, increasing total capacity to 14 lanes (8 on the upper level, 6 on the lower level).
The bridge connects Interstate 95, the main north-south highway along the East Coast, and serves as a critical link for commuters, commercial trucks, and through-traffic between New England and the mid-Atlantic states. On an average day, approximately 284,000 vehicles cross the GWB. See GWB directions, lane information, and approach routes.
Explore More
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the George Washington Bridge toll?
The 2026 George Washington Bridge toll for passenger cars is $16.79 with E-ZPass during peak hours, $14.79 with E-ZPass during off-peak hours, and $23.30 for Toll-by-Mail (drivers without E-ZPass). A new Mid-Tier rate of $19.55 applies to E-ZPass tags that are improperly positioned on NY/NJ accounts. Tolls are collected one way only, eastbound into New York City. Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
Do you pay the GWB toll both ways?
No. The George Washington Bridge toll is collected eastbound only, when entering New York. Driving westbound from New York into New Jersey is free. This one-way toll system applies to all Port Authority crossings between New York and New Jersey.
Is the GWB toll cheaper with E-ZPass?
Yes. E-ZPass saves you $6.51 to $8.51 per crossing compared to Toll-by-Mail. During off-peak hours, an E-ZPass passenger car toll is $14.79 versus $23.30 for Toll-by-Mail, a savings of $8.51. Over a year of daily commuting (10 crossings/week), E-ZPass saves between $3,385 (always peak) and $4,425 (always off-peak).
Can you pay cash on the George Washington Bridge?
No. The George Washington Bridge is fully cashless. There are no staffed toll booths. If you drive through without E-ZPass, a camera photographs your license plate and a Toll-by-Mail bill is sent to the registered vehicle owner at the higher rate of $23.30 for passenger cars.
What are GWB peak and off-peak hours?
Peak hours are weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. All other times are off-peak, including weekday midday (10 AM to 4 PM), evenings (after 8 PM), overnight hours, and all day on weekends and major holidays.
When was the last George Washington Bridge toll increase?
The most recent toll change took effect on 4 January 2026, raising rates roughly 3% across the board. Passenger car rates moved to $16.79 (E-ZPass peak), $14.79 (E-ZPass off-peak), $19.55 (new Mid-Tier for improperly-positioned tags), and $23.30 (Toll-by-Mail). PANYNJ has also approved a four-year phase-out of the off-peak E-ZPass discount beginning January 2027, with the off-peak rate rising 50¢/year until it equals the peak rate by 2030.