GWB Toll with New York E-ZPass
NY E-ZPass holders pay $16.79 peak, $14.79 off-peak. Issued by the NY State Thruway Authority.
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 21 May 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ, E-ZPass NY
NY E-ZPass at the GWB: Same Rate as Other States
New York E-ZPass holders pay the standard PANYNJ E-ZPass rate at the George Washington Bridge. The toll is the same whether your tag was issued in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or any other E-ZPass state. The 19-state E-ZPass network is interoperable: every member tag is accepted at the tolls operated by every other member, at the same per-crossing rate.
For a passenger car, that means $16.79 with E-ZPass during peak hours (weekdays 6 to 10 AM and 4 to 8 PM) and $14.79 during off-peak hours (all other times including weekends and holidays).
Mid-Tier $19.55 Rate Note for NY Tags
Effective 6 July 2025, PANYNJ introduced a $19.55 Mid-Tier rate that applies specifically to NY and NJ E-ZPass tags when the tag is improperly positioned in the vehicle and the toll has to be billed via license plate match instead of transponder read. This affects roughly 9% of NY and NJ E-ZPass transactions at the GWB.
If you receive a Mid-Tier $19.55 bill, the fix is to remount your transponder following the instructions provided by the agency (typically on the inside windshield, behind the rearview mirror, with the adhesive strips facing forward). Out-of-state E-ZPass tags do not have this Mid-Tier rate and continue to pay either the full E-ZPass rate (if read correctly) or the Toll-by-Mail rate ($23.30 for cars).
How to Sign Up for NY E-ZPass
Visit e-zpassny.com to create an account online. You will provide vehicle information, a credit card or bank account for automatic balance replenishment, and a minimum prepaid balance (typically $25). The transponder arrives by mail in 5 to 7 business days.
Alternatively, you can buy a prepaid NY E-ZPass tag at participating retail locations including Walgreens, CVS, and Stop & Shop. Activate it online and link a replenishment method. This option works if you need the tag immediately and cannot wait for mail delivery.
NY E-ZPass Account Fees
There is no monthly fee for an NY E-ZPass account in active use (any toll charged in a calendar month). For inactive accounts, NY E-ZPass charges a $1.00 monthly account fee. There is no fee per transponder beyond the prepaid balance. Replacement transponders (if lost or damaged) cost $25 to $30 per tag.
Resident discount plans (e.g. Staten Island Resident, Rockaway Resident) are administered by NY E-ZPass for specific bridges and tunnels but do not apply to the GWB. GWB rates are uniform for all E-ZPass holders.
Annual Cost: NY E-ZPass vs Toll-by-Mail
A NY-based commuter making 10 GWB eastbound crossings per week saves between $3,385 (peak) and $4,425 (off-peak) per year by using NY E-ZPass instead of Toll-by-Mail. For a NY resident who already has E-ZPass for the Tappan Zee, the Verrazzano, or the Triborough/RFK, no additional tag is needed for the GWB. The existing NY E-ZPass works.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a NY E-ZPass holder pay on the George Washington Bridge?
A New York E-ZPass holder pays the standard E-ZPass rate: $16.79 for passenger cars during peak hours, $14.79 off-peak, and $23.30 via Toll-by-Mail if the transponder fails to read. A new $19.55 Mid-Tier rate (effective 6 July 2025) applies when an NY E-ZPass tag is improperly positioned and reads via plate match instead of transponder. Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
Where do I sign up for NY E-ZPass?
Sign up at the E-ZPass New York website, e-zpassny.com. You can enrol online, by mail, or in person at one of the New York E-ZPass customer service centers (including the one at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee). Online enrolment typically takes 5 to 7 business days for the transponder to arrive. NY E-ZPass is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority.
Does a NY E-ZPass cost extra?
There is no monthly fee for NY E-ZPass. The transponder itself is free for personal accounts. You must maintain a minimum prepaid balance (typically $25) which is used to pay tolls. A small monthly account fee ($1.00) applies if you do not use the E-ZPass for any toll in a calendar month. There is no extra cost per crossing beyond the standard E-ZPass toll.
Can I use NY E-ZPass at the GWB?
Yes. NY E-ZPass works at every Port Authority crossing including the GWB, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Bayonne Bridge, Goethals Bridge, and Outerbridge Crossing. It also works on the New York State Thruway, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and all other E-ZPass facilities across 19 states.
Is NY E-ZPass cheaper than NJ E-ZPass on the GWB?
No. The per-crossing toll is identical regardless of which state issued your E-ZPass tag. NY E-ZPass, NJ E-ZPass, PA E-ZPass, and any other E-ZPass all pay the same standard rate at the GWB ($16.79 car peak). Account-level fees and replenishment terms differ slightly by issuing agency, but toll rates do not.