GWB vs Lincoln Tunnel Toll
Same toll: $16.79 E-ZPass peak for cars at both. Choose by location and traffic, not cost.
The Lincoln Tunnel toll on its own is $16.79 with E-ZPass at peak, $14.79 off-peak, or $23.30 by Tolls by Mail, charged eastbound into Manhattan only. Maximum vehicle height is 13ft 0in.
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 6 July 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ
Lincoln Tunnel Toll 2026
Passenger car, per crossing, eastbound into Manhattan only (westbound to New Jersey is free).
The Lincoln Tunnel charges the identical rate to the George Washington Bridge because both are Port Authority crossings on the same toll schedule. A Mid-Tier rate of $19.55 applies to improperly-positioned E-ZPass tags. Maximum vehicle height is 13ft 0in; taller vehicles must use the GWB upper level.
| Feature | GWB | Lincoln 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 (upper + lower) | 6 (3 tubes, 2 lanes each) |
| Truck height limit | Upper level: open air | 13ft 0in |
| Manhattan exit | Upper Manhattan (Washington Heights) | Midtown Manhattan (40th St) |
| NJ exit | Fort Lee | Weehawken |
| Year opened | 1931 (upper), 1962 (lower) | 1937 (center), 1945, 1957 |
| Pedestrian/bicycle access | South sidewalk upper level | None |
Same Toll, Different Routes
The Port Authority operates both the GWB and the Lincoln Tunnel under the same toll schedule. Cars pay $16.79 E-ZPass peak / $14.79 off-peak / $23.30 by mail at both. Trucks scale the same way at both. The choice between them is geographic and traffic-based, not financial.
Geographic Differences
The GWB connects Fort Lee, NJ to Washington Heights in upper Manhattan (181st Street). The Lincoln Tunnel connects Weehawken, NJ to midtown Manhattan (40th Street). If you are going to or from upper Manhattan, the Bronx, or Westchester, the GWB is geographically closer. If you are going to or from midtown Manhattan, Hudson County (Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken), or via the NJ Turnpike Extension, the Lincoln Tunnel is closer.
For destinations between midtown and upper Manhattan (Times Square, Central Park area, Lincoln Center), either crossing works but the choice often comes down to traffic on the specific day.
Capacity and Congestion
The GWB has 14 total lanes (8 upper + 6 lower), making it the highest-capacity Hudson crossing. The Lincoln Tunnel has 6 lanes split across 3 tubes (each tube has 2 lanes, and direction can be reversed by tube to add capacity in the peak direction).
The Lincoln Tunnel often has worse delays per crossing because it has less capacity and is more centrally located in Manhattan, attracting more eastbound morning commuters. The GWB is typically less congested per vehicle on average, but can be heavily delayed during specific incidents (lane closures, accidents).
Truck and Bus Access
The GWB accepts all truck sizes on the upper level (open-air, no fixed height limit). The Lincoln Tunnel has a 13ft 0in height limit (vehicles taller cannot enter). Most standard trucks fit, but trucks with rooftop equipment, RVs, or stacked cargo containers must use the GWB.
The Lincoln Tunnel has an Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) during morning rush hours, where buses bypass general traffic. This is a major advantage for commuters using NJ Transit buses to midtown. The GWB does not have a dedicated bus lane.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Access
The GWB has a south sidewalk on the upper level open to bicycles and pedestrians (seasonal hours, no toll). The Lincoln Tunnel has no pedestrian or bicycle access. Cyclists between New Jersey and Manhattan typically use the GWB; the only other free options are PATH train (with bike permitted off-peak) or the NY Waterway ferry.
Return Trip Considerations
Both crossings are eastbound-tolled and westbound-free. A round trip from New Jersey to Manhattan and back via either crossing costs the eastbound rate only. There is no advantage in choosing the GWB for one direction and the Lincoln Tunnel for the other; the total cost is the same.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Lincoln Tunnel toll?
The Lincoln Tunnel toll for a passenger car is $16.79 with E-ZPass during peak hours, $14.79 with E-ZPass off-peak, and $23.30 via Tolls by Mail. It is charged eastbound into Manhattan only; the westbound trip to New Jersey is free. A Mid-Tier rate of $19.55 applies to improperly-positioned E-ZPass tags. These are the same Port Authority rates charged at the George Washington Bridge (tariff effective 4 January 2026).
Is the Lincoln Tunnel cheaper than the GWB?
No. The Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge have identical toll rates: $16.79 with E-ZPass during peak hours, $14.79 off-peak, and $23.30 via Toll-by-Mail for passenger cars. Both are Port Authority crossings and follow the same rate schedule. Choose between them based on your location, traffic, and destination, not cost. Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
Which is faster: GWB or Lincoln Tunnel?
It depends on your origin and destination. The GWB is faster if you are going to or from upper Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester, or eastern Bergen County. The Lincoln Tunnel is faster if you are going to or from midtown Manhattan or Hudson County. The GWB has 14 lanes vs the Lincoln Tunnel 6, so the GWB generally has less congestion per vehicle, but it depends on local traffic at the time of crossing.
Does the GWB or Lincoln Tunnel have a height restriction?
Both have restrictions but they differ. The Lincoln Tunnel has a hard 13ft 0in height limit (it is a tunnel and clearance is fixed). The GWB upper level has no fixed height limit (open-air deck), so taller vehicles must use the upper level. The GWB lower level has a 13ft 6in clearance. Trucks taller than 13ft 0in cannot use the Lincoln Tunnel and must use the GWB upper level.
Can I bike or walk across the GWB or the Lincoln Tunnel?
The GWB has a south sidewalk on the upper level that is open to bicycles and pedestrians (seasonal hours). It is free to cross. The Lincoln Tunnel has no pedestrian or bicycle access. Cyclists between New Jersey and Manhattan typically use the GWB for this reason.
Which crossing is better for trucks?
The GWB is better for most trucks because the upper-level deck has no fixed height limit and the bridge has 8 truck-accessible lanes (vs the Lincoln Tunnel 6 total lanes). Trucks over 13ft 0in cannot use the Lincoln Tunnel and must use the GWB upper level. For shorter trucks within the 13ft 0in tunnel limit, either crossing works; choose by destination.