GWB Toll on Holidays
Six major holidays are all-day off-peak. E-ZPass cars pay $14.79.
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 21 May 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ
Holiday Toll Schedule
| Holiday | Date | Toll Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| New Year Day | 1 January | Off-peak all day |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday in January | Standard weekday (peak hours apply) |
| Presidents Day | Third Monday in February | Standard weekday (peak hours apply) |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Off-peak all day |
| Juneteenth | 19 June | Standard weekday if mid-week |
| Independence Day | 4 July | Off-peak all day |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Off-peak all day |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October | Standard weekday (peak hours apply) |
| Veterans Day | 11 November | Standard weekday if mid-week |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November | Off-peak all day |
| Day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) | Friday after Thanksgiving | Standard weekday (peak hours apply) |
| Christmas Eve | 24 December | Standard weekday if mid-week |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Off-peak all day |
| New Year Eve | 31 December | Standard weekday if mid-week |
Six All-Day Off-Peak Holidays
The Port Authority treats six major federal holidays as all-day off-peak, meaning E-ZPass holders pay the lower $14.79 car rate regardless of the day of the week the holiday falls on. The six are:
- New Year Day (1 January)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (4 July)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (25 December)
On these days, even a Monday morning 8:00 AM crossing (normally peak) is billed at the off-peak rate. This benefits commuters who happen to work on a holiday at $14.79 instead of $16.79.
Holidays That Are NOT Off-Peak
Some federal holidays do not trigger the off-peak treatment at the GWB. These are billed as standard weekdays:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Presidents Day (third Monday in February)
- Juneteenth (19 June)
- Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (11 November)
- Christmas Eve (24 December)
- New Year Eve (31 December)
On these days, normal weekday peak hours apply (6 to 10 AM and 4 to 8 PM at $16.79 for cars). The definition of off-peak holidays at the Port Authority is narrower than the full federal holiday list.
Black Friday Note
Many drivers assume Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is off-peak because Thanksgiving Day itself is. It is not. Black Friday is a standard weekday with normal peak hours. So a Black Friday 9:00 AM crossing pays the peak $16.79, even though Thanksgiving Thursday at the same time would have paid $14.79.
Toll-by-Mail Is Unchanged on Holidays
The Toll-by-Mail rate of $23.30 for cars does not change for holidays. Non-E-ZPass drivers pay the same flat rate every day of the year. The holiday off-peak benefit is exclusive to E-ZPass holders. This is another reason to get E-ZPass: holiday and overnight crossings without it cost full Toll-by-Mail.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GWB toll cheaper on federal holidays?
For E-ZPass holders, yes, on the six major federal holidays: New Year Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. On these days, the E-ZPass rate is off-peak ($14.79 for cars) all day, even if the holiday falls on a weekday that would normally have peak hours. Toll-by-Mail rates are unchanged ($23.30 for cars). Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
Which holidays count as off-peak on the GWB?
The six holidays treated as all-day off-peak are: New Year Day (1 January), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (4 July), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (25 December). Other federal holidays like MLK Day, Presidents Day, and Columbus Day are standard weekdays with normal peak hours.
Is Black Friday off-peak on the GWB?
No. Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is treated as a standard weekday with normal peak hours (6 to 10 AM and 4 to 8 PM). Only Thanksgiving Day itself is all-day off-peak. The Friday after is back to weekday peak pricing despite being a major shopping day.
Is the GWB toll different on Christmas Eve vs Christmas Day?
Yes. Christmas Day (25 December) is all-day off-peak at $14.79 for cars. Christmas Eve (24 December) is a standard weekday: if it falls on a Monday through Friday, peak hours apply (6 to 10 AM and 4 to 8 PM at $16.79). Many drivers assume Christmas Eve is also off-peak, but it follows the regular weekday schedule.
Is New Year Eve treated as a holiday for GWB tolls?
No. New Year Eve (31 December) is a standard weekday for toll purposes. New Year Day (1 January) is all-day off-peak. So a 11:30 PM crossing on 31 December (Tuesday) pays the off-peak overnight rate of $14.79 (because it is after 8 PM weekday), and a 12:30 AM crossing on 1 January pays $14.79 (off-peak holiday). The rates are the same here, but the reason is different.