GWB to LaGuardia Airport Toll
GWB $16.79 + RFK Bridge $11.19 = $27.98 E-ZPass peak. 14 miles, 25 to 45 minutes.
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 21 May 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ, MTA Bridges and Tunnels
| Route | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Toll-by-Mail | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWB to LGA via RFK Bridge (recommended) | $27.98 | $23.98 | $32.49 | 25 to 45 min |
| GWB to LGA via Queensboro Bridge (free) | $16.79 | $14.79 | $23.30 | 40 to 70 min |
| GWB to LGA via Whitestone Bridge | $27.98 | $23.98 | $32.49 | 30 to 50 min |
Recommended Route: GWB via RFK/Triborough Bridge
The fastest route from the GWB to LaGuardia uses the RFK/Triborough Bridge. From the GWB eastbound exit in upper Manhattan, take the Harlem River Drive south, then the FDR Drive briefly, then the RFK Bridge to Queens. From the Queens side of the RFK Bridge, take the Grand Central Parkway east directly to LaGuardia.
Total distance: about 14 miles. Total tolls: $16.79 GWB + $11.19 RFK = $27.98 E-ZPass peak for cars. Drive time: 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Cheaper but Slower: Queensboro Bridge (Free)
The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge between Manhattan (59th Street) and Long Island City is free for all vehicles. If you avoid the RFK Bridge and use the Queensboro instead, your only toll is the GWB itself ($16.79 E-ZPass peak), saving $11.19.
The trade-off is time. The Queensboro route requires driving down Manhattan from the GWB (~9 miles, often slow due to surface street congestion) plus crossing the Queensboro and navigating Long Island City and Astoria streets. Total time: 40 to 70 minutes vs 25 to 45 minutes via RFK. For airport trips with luggage and check-in deadlines, the time savings of the RFK route usually justify the extra $11.19.
Alternative: GWB via Whitestone Bridge
From the GWB eastbound, take the Cross-Bronx Expressway (I-95) east to I-678 south, which leads to the Whitestone Bridge and then LaGuardia via the Whitestone Expressway and Grand Central Parkway. Total tolls: same as RFK route ($27.98 E-ZPass peak). This route is slightly longer (~16 miles) and a few minutes slower than the RFK route, but can be faster during evening rush when Harlem River Drive backs up.
LaGuardia vs JFK Distance Comparison
LaGuardia is 14 miles and 25 to 45 minutes from the GWB. JFK is 26 miles and 45 to 65 minutes. The toll cost is identical ($27.98 E-ZPass peak via the RFK route), but the time and fuel savings to LaGuardia are significant. For travellers choosing between airports, LaGuardia is the cheaper option in time and fuel when departing from the GWB area.
Return Trip: LaGuardia to GWB
Coming back from LaGuardia to the GWB, the RFK Bridge from Queens to Manhattan/Bronx costs $11.19 E-ZPass peak (the toll is the same in both directions). The GWB westbound (back into New Jersey) is free. Total return trip toll: $11.19. Round trip total: $27.98 + $11.19 = $39.17 E-ZPass peak for cars.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much in tolls from the GWB to LaGuardia Airport?
Driving from the GWB to LaGuardia Airport requires two tolls: the GWB eastbound ($16.79 E-ZPass peak for cars) plus the RFK/Triborough Bridge ($11.19 E-ZPass peak). Total E-ZPass peak: $27.98 for cars. Off-peak total: $23.98 ($14.79 GWB + $9.19 RFK off-peak). Toll-by-Mail total: $32.49 ($23.30 GWB + $9.19 RFK). Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
Is LaGuardia closer to the GWB than JFK?
Yes. LaGuardia is in northern Queens, much closer to the GWB and Manhattan than JFK. Total distance from the GWB to LaGuardia is approximately 14 miles vs 26 miles to JFK. Drive time is typically 25 to 45 minutes vs 45 to 65 minutes for JFK. The toll structure is the same (GWB plus RFK Bridge), so the cost is identical, but LaGuardia saves significant driving time.
Can I skip the RFK Bridge toll from the GWB to LaGuardia?
Only by taking a much longer route through Manhattan and Queens surface streets via a free East River bridge (Queensboro/Ed Koch Bridge is free, Brooklyn Bridge requires driving south then east). The Queensboro Bridge from Manhattan to Long Island City is free for all vehicles, but the route adds 15 to 30 minutes vs taking the RFK Bridge. For most drivers, the $11.19 RFK toll is worth it for the time savings.
What is the cheapest GWB to LaGuardia route?
The cheapest route uses the free Queensboro/Ed Koch Bridge from Manhattan into Queens (Long Island City), then Astoria Boulevard or Northern Boulevard east to LaGuardia. Total tolls: just the GWB at $16.79 E-ZPass peak (or $14.79 off-peak). However, this route requires driving down Manhattan to 59th Street first, adding 15 to 30 minutes vs the RFK route. For time-sensitive trips, paying the RFK is worth it.
Are tolls the same for LaGuardia as for JFK from the GWB?
Yes, identical. Both airports require crossing one MTA bridge from Manhattan/Bronx into Queens, and all MTA bridges between those boroughs cost the same $11.19 E-ZPass peak for cars. Total GWB plus MTA bridge: $27.98 E-ZPass peak. The toll structure does not distinguish between which Queens airport you are heading to.