George Washington Bridge & NYC Congestion Pricing: What You Need to Know (2026)
How the Manhattan Central Business District tolling zone affects GWB drivers.
Congestion pricing launched January 5, 2025 | GWB tolls are separate and unchanged
Key Points for GWB Drivers
What Is NYC Congestion Pricing?
New York City congestion pricing is a tolling program that charges vehicles entering Manhattan's Central Business District (CBD), the area south of 60th Street. Launched on January 5, 2025, it was the first congestion pricing program in the United States, modeled after successful systems in London, Stockholm, and Singapore.
The program is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Revenue from congestion pricing funds public transit improvements, including subway upgrades, bus service expansion, and commuter rail enhancements. The MTA estimates the program will generate approximately $1 billion annually in bonding capacity for its capital plan.
Congestion pricing uses a network of E-ZPass readers and license plate cameras at every entry point to the zone. Vehicles are charged once per day, meaning you can enter and exit the zone multiple times within a single day without paying additional tolls. The charge is applied the first time you enter during a given toll period.
Does Congestion Pricing Change GWB Tolls?
No. The George Washington Bridge toll is set by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and is completely separate from the MTA congestion pricing toll. At the Jan 2026 tariff, the GWB toll is $16.79 with E-ZPass during peak hours, $14.79 with E-ZPass during off-peak hours, $19.55 at the new Mid-Tier rate (tag improperly positioned), and $23.30 for Toll-by-Mail. These rates are set independently of the MTA congestion pricing program.
However, GWB drivers who continue south of 60th Street in Manhattan do pay both tolls: the GWB bridge toll and the congestion pricing zone toll. That is a combined $25.79 for a single eastbound trip during peak hours ($16.79 bridge toll plus the full $9.00 congestion toll).
Why GWB Drivers Get No Crossing Credit
The MTA provides a crossing credit toward the congestion toll, but only for vehicles with a valid E-ZPass that enter the zone directly through one of the four tolled tunnels: the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. The credit is up to $3 for passenger cars, applied during the peak period only.
The George Washington Bridge does not qualify. The MTA's rule is that credits apply at tolled entries that lead directly into the Central Business District; the GWB lands in Manhattan at 178th Street, well north of the 60th Street boundary. A GWB driver who continues south into the zone pays the full congestion toll on top of the bridge toll.
This is the core of New Jersey's double-tolling complaint: a Bergen County driver headed to Midtown pays $25.79 via the GWB at peak, while the same trip through the Lincoln Tunnel costs $22.79 ($16.79 tunnel toll plus $9.00 congestion toll minus the $3 tunnel credit). For zone-bound trips, the tunnels are now the cheaper Port Authority entry on paper, traffic permitting.
Congestion Pricing Rate Schedule
The following rates apply to vehicles entering the Manhattan CBD south of 60th Street. These are in addition to any bridge or tunnel toll you pay to cross the Hudson River.
| Vehicle / Period | Congestion Toll | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cars (E-ZPass, peak) | $9.00 | 5 AM - 9 PM weekdays, 9 AM - 9 PM weekends |
| Cars (E-ZPass, overnight) | $2.25 | 9 PM - 5 AM weekdays, 9 PM - 9 AM weekends |
| Cars (Toll-by-Mail, peak) | $13.50 | 5 AM - 9 PM weekdays, 9 AM - 9 PM weekends |
| Small trucks (peak) | $14.40 | Same peak windows |
| Large trucks (peak) | $21.60 | Same peak windows |
| Motorcycles (peak) | $4.50 | Same peak windows |
Rates set by the MTA. Crossing credits apply only at the four tolled tunnel entries (Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown, Hugh L. Carey), not the GWB. Toll-by-Mail rates are 50% higher than E-ZPass rates.
Impact on GWB Commuters: Who Pays What
The impact of congestion pricing on GWB drivers depends entirely on where you are going in New York City. If you stay in upper Manhattan, the Bronx, or any area north of 60th Street, congestion pricing has no effect on you. You pay only the standard GWB bridge toll.
If your destination is in Midtown, the Financial District, or anywhere in Manhattan south of 60th Street, you will pay both the GWB toll and the full congestion pricing toll. Here is what each scenario looks like for a passenger car with E-ZPass:
| Scenario (E-ZPass car) | GWB Toll | Congestion | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lee to Upper Manhattan (above 60th St) | $16.79 | $0 | $16.79 |
| Fort Lee to Midtown (below 60th St, peak) | $16.79 | $9.00 | $25.79 |
| Fort Lee to Midtown (below 60th St, overnight) | $14.79 | $2.25 | $17.04 |
| Fort Lee to Lower Manhattan (peak) | $16.79 | $9.00 | $25.79 |
| Fort Lee to Bronx | $16.79 | $0 | $16.79 |
Congestion toll charged once per day on first zone entry. Toll-by-Mail drivers pay higher rates for both tolls.
Annual Cost Impact for Daily Commuters
For a GWB commuter who drives to Midtown Manhattan five days a week during peak hours, congestion pricing adds the full $9.00 per workday (the toll is charged once per day on first zone entry, and the GWB earns no crossing credit). Over 260 working days that is an additional $2,340 per year on top of roughly $4,365 in GWB tolls (260 eastbound crossings at the $16.79 E-ZPass peak rate; westbound is free).
Combined, a daily peak-hour commuter crossing the GWB and entering the congestion zone pays roughly $6,700 per year in toll charges alone, not including fuel, parking, or vehicle costs. This makes the financial case for public transit even stronger for Midtown-bound commuters. Use our toll calculator to model your costs.
New Jersey Political Response and Legal Challenges
New Jersey political leaders have been vocal opponents of the congestion pricing program since its inception. Their core argument is that New Jersey commuters already pay substantial tolls to cross the Hudson River, and adding a congestion charge on top creates an unfair double toll burden.
The State of New Jersey filed legal challenges in federal court seeking to block the program or require a larger credit for drivers who cross Port Authority facilities. Governor Murphy and the NJ Legislature argued that the environmental review process was inadequate and that the program disproportionately impacts New Jersey residents who have no alternative to driving into Manhattan.
As of June 2026, litigation continues: in March 2026 a federal judge ruled the USDOT's attempt to terminate the program unlawful, and the federal government has appealed. New Jersey has also pushed for administrative changes, including a crossing credit for Port Authority crossings such as the GWB (which currently earn none) and exemptions for certain categories of commuters. The outcome of these efforts could introduce a GWB credit or change other program parameters.
How to Minimize Your Combined Toll Costs
If you cross the GWB and enter the congestion pricing zone, here are strategies to reduce your total toll burden:
- Get E-ZPass: You save on both the GWB toll and the congestion toll. Without E-ZPass, the congestion toll is 50% higher ($13.50 vs $9.00 for cars).
- Travel overnight: The congestion toll drops to $2.25 during the overnight period (9 PM to 5 AM weekdays, 9 PM to 9 AM weekends), and the GWB off-peak windows save another $2.00.
- Take transit part of the week: Even replacing two driving days with NJ Transit bus saves over $200 per month in combined tolls.
- Park above 60th Street: If you can park in upper Manhattan and take the subway south, you avoid the congestion toll entirely.
- Compare the Lincoln Tunnel for zone-bound trips: The tunnel toll matches the GWB, but tunnel entries earn the up-to-$3 peak crossing credit the GWB does not, making the combined cost $3 lower when the tunnel fits your route.
Read our complete guide to saving money on GWB tolls for more detailed strategies.
Latest Updates (June 2026)
The congestion pricing program has been operating for over a year. MTA data shows reduced traffic volumes in the CBD during peak hours and increased transit ridership, and in March 2026 a federal judge ruled against the USDOT's attempt to cancel the program. New Jersey continues to push for a GWB crossing credit through both legal and political channels, but as of June 2026 no GWB credit exists. PANYNJ separately raised GWB tolls effective 4 January 2026 (peak E-ZPass car rate from $16.06 to $16.79, Toll-by-Mail from $22.38 to $23.30); this had no effect on the MTA congestion charge.
The $9.00 peak car toll is unchanged for 2026. Under the MTA's adopted phase-in schedule it rises to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031; any other changes would require public notice and a board vote.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does NYC congestion pricing affect the George Washington Bridge toll?
No, congestion pricing does not change the GWB toll itself. The bridge toll is $16.79 (E-ZPass peak), $14.79 (E-ZPass off-peak), $19.55 (Mid-Tier, tag improperly positioned), or $23.30 (Toll-by-Mail) at the Jan 2026 tariff. However, GWB drivers who continue south of 60th Street in Manhattan enter the congestion pricing zone and must pay an additional toll. These are two separate charges collected by different agencies.
Do GWB drivers get a credit toward congestion pricing?
No. The MTA's crossing credit applies only to vehicles with a valid E-ZPass entering the zone directly through one of the four tolled tunnels: the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. The credit is up to $3 for passenger cars during the peak period. GWB drivers enter Manhattan at 178th Street, north of the zone boundary, so they pay the full congestion toll if they later drive south of 60th Street.
What is the Manhattan congestion pricing zone?
The congestion pricing zone, also called the Central Business District (CBD), covers Manhattan south of 60th Street. Any vehicle entering this zone is charged a toll. The zone includes Midtown, the Financial District, and all areas in between. The tolling system uses E-ZPass readers and cameras at all entry points to the zone.
I drive from NJ to upper Manhattan. Do I pay congestion pricing?
No. If you cross the George Washington Bridge and stay in upper Manhattan (north of 60th Street) or travel to the Bronx, you do not enter the congestion pricing zone and will not be charged the congestion toll. You only pay the standard GWB bridge toll. The congestion charge applies only when you drive into the zone south of 60th Street.
When did NYC congestion pricing start?
NYC congestion pricing launched on January 5, 2025. It was the first congestion pricing program in the United States. The program is operated by the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) and uses revenue to fund public transit improvements, including subway, bus, and commuter rail upgrades throughout the New York metropolitan area.
What is New Jersey doing about congestion pricing?
New Jersey officials have strongly opposed the program, arguing that it unfairly burdens New Jersey commuters who already pay high tolls to cross the Hudson River. The state filed legal challenges seeking to block or modify the program. New Jersey has pushed for larger credits for drivers crossing Port Authority bridges and tunnels. As of 2026, litigation and political negotiations continue.