GWB vs Holland Tunnel Toll
Same toll: $16.79 E-ZPass peak. GWB for upper Manhattan, Holland Tunnel for lower Manhattan.
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 21 May 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ
| Feature | GWB | Holland Tunnel |
|---|---|---|
| Car E-ZPass peak | $16.79 | $16.79 |
| Car E-ZPass off-peak | $14.79 | $14.79 |
| Car Toll-by-Mail | $23.30 | $23.30 |
| Direction tolled | Eastbound only | Eastbound only |
| Total lanes | 14 | 4 (2 tubes, 2 lanes each) |
| Truck height limit | Upper level open-air | 12ft 6in (lowest in NYC area) |
| Manhattan exit | Upper Manhattan | Lower Manhattan / Tribeca / Canal St |
| NJ exit | Fort Lee | Jersey City |
| Year opened | 1931 | 1927 (oldest of the three) |
| Pedestrian/bicycle access | South sidewalk upper level | None |
Same Toll, Different Geography
The Holland Tunnel and the GWB have identical toll rates. The GWB charges $16.79 E-ZPass peak for cars eastbound; the Holland Tunnel charges the same. Both are eastbound-only with free westbound. Both follow the same peak/off-peak/Mid-Tier/Toll-by-Mail schedule. Choose between them based on where you are going, not the price.
Geographic Differences
The GWB connects Fort Lee, NJ to Washington Heights in upper Manhattan (around 178th Street). The Holland Tunnel connects Jersey City, NJ to lower Manhattan (Canal Street / Tribeca). The two crossings are 12 miles apart in Manhattan and serve very different parts of the city.
The Holland Tunnel is the natural choice for: Financial District, Tribeca, SoHo, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Lower East Side. The GWB is the natural choice for: upper Manhattan, Harlem, the Bronx, Westchester. For midtown, the Lincoln Tunnel is the geographic middle option.
Capacity Difference Is Significant
The GWB has 14 lanes total. The Holland Tunnel has just 4 lanes (2 tubes, 2 lanes each). The Holland Tunnel is the lowest-capacity Hudson River crossing and the most prone to congestion-related delays during peak hours.
For drivers with flexibility on destination (e.g. delivery routes that can flex midtown vs lower Manhattan), the GWB is often the more reliable choice during morning rush. The Holland Tunnel routinely backs up 30+ minutes during weekday eastbound mornings.
Truck and Tall Vehicle Restrictions
The Holland Tunnel has a 12ft 6in height limit, the lowest of the three Hudson crossings. Many standard delivery trucks fit, but anything with rooftop equipment, RVs, and most box trucks over 14ft body length exceed this and must use the GWB upper level or the Lincoln Tunnel (if under 13ft 0in).
For trucking dispatchers planning routes, the height limit is the deciding factor. If the cargo or vehicle exceeds 12ft 6in, route via GWB. If under, the Holland Tunnel is faster for lower Manhattan destinations.
Tubes and Reversible Lanes
The Holland Tunnel has 2 tubes (north and south), each with 2 lanes. Both tubes carry traffic in their assigned direction (north tube eastbound, south tube westbound). Unlike the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel does not reverse tube direction during peak hours, so capacity is fixed at 4 lanes total.
Historical Note
The Holland Tunnel opened in 1927, making it the oldest of the three Hudson River vehicular crossings. The GWB opened in 1931 (upper level only) with the lower level added in 1962. The Lincoln Tunnel center tube opened in 1937. The Holland Tunnel was an engineering breakthrough at the time, the first long underwater tunnel for cars in the United States.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Holland Tunnel cheaper than the GWB?
No. The Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge have identical tolls: $16.79 with E-ZPass during peak hours, $14.79 off-peak, and $23.30 via Toll-by-Mail for passenger cars. Both are operated by the Port Authority of NY and NJ and follow the same toll schedule. Choose between them based on destination, not cost. Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
Which is faster: GWB or Holland Tunnel?
It depends on your origin and destination. The Holland Tunnel is faster for lower Manhattan, Tribeca, Wall Street, and the Financial District. The GWB is faster for upper Manhattan, Harlem, the Bronx, Westchester, and points north. The Holland Tunnel has only 4 lanes vs the GWB 14, so the Holland Tunnel tends to have heavier congestion per vehicle during peak hours.
What is the height limit on the Holland Tunnel?
The Holland Tunnel has a 12ft 6in height limit, the lowest of the three Hudson River crossings (Lincoln Tunnel is 13ft 0in, GWB upper level is open-air). Trucks taller than 12ft 6in cannot use the Holland Tunnel and must use the Lincoln Tunnel (if under 13ft 0in) or the GWB upper level.
Can I bike or walk through the Holland Tunnel?
No. Neither the Holland Tunnel nor the Lincoln Tunnel allows pedestrian or bicycle traffic. Only the GWB has a pedestrian and bicycle path (the south sidewalk on the upper level, seasonal hours, free).
Which is best for commuting to the Financial District: GWB or Holland Tunnel?
The Holland Tunnel is much closer to the Financial District. The Holland Tunnel exits at Canal Street / Tribeca in lower Manhattan, a 5 to 10 minute drive from Wall Street or the World Trade Center. The GWB exits at 178th Street in upper Manhattan, requiring an additional 30 to 45 minute drive south via the West Side Highway or FDR Drive to reach the Financial District. For lower Manhattan commuters, the Holland Tunnel is the clear choice.