GWB Peak vs Off-Peak Toll Rates & Schedule (2026)
Save $2.00 per crossing by traveling during off-peak hours. Up to $1,040/year for daily commuters.
Peak: Weekdays 6-10 AM & 4-8 PM, plus weekends 11 AM-9 PM | Off-peak: All other times
Tariff effective 4 January 2026 | Verified 10 June 2026
Off-peak savings disappearing over 4 years, plan accordingly
PANYNJ approved a four-year phase-out of the off-peak E-ZPass discount in its December 2024 board vote. Starting January 2027, the off-peak rate rises 50¢ per year until it equals the peak rate in 2030. After that, there is no discount for crossing outside rush hour with E-ZPass.
| Year | Off-Peak E-ZPass (car) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (current) | $14.79 | Baseline |
| 2027 | $15.29 | +$0.50 |
| 2028 | $15.79 | +$0.50 |
| 2029 | $16.29 | +$0.50 |
| 2030 | $16.79 | = Peak (off-peak discount eliminated) |
Source: Port Authority of NY & NJ 2026 toll schedule and Dec 2024 board vote referenced in the panynj.gov 2026 tolls page footnote. Peak rate is held flat at $16.79 across the 4-year window. Any future PANYNJ peak-rate adjustments could change this projection.
Passenger car E-ZPass rates. Toll-by-Mail is $23.30 at all times (no peak/off-peak distinction). Mid-Tier $19.55 applies to E-ZPass tags improperly positioned on NY/NJ accounts.
Complete Peak and Off-Peak Schedule
Peak vs Off-Peak Rates by Vehicle Type
E-ZPass rates for all vehicle classes. The "difference" column shows how much you save per crossing by traveling off-peak.
| Vehicle Type | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Difference | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car (2 axle) | $16.79 | $14.79 | $2.00 | $23.30 |
| Green Pass plug-in EV plan (enrolled) | $16.79 | $11.29 | $5.50 | n/a |
| Motorcycle | $15.79 | $13.79 | $2.00 | $23.30 |
| Small truck (2 axle, dual rear) | $45.34 | $43.34 | $2.00 | $51.34 |
| Large truck (3 axle) | $68.01 | $65.01 | $3.00 | $77.01 |
| Truck (4 axle) | $90.68 | $86.68 | $4.00 | $102.68 |
| Truck (5 axle) | $113.35 | $108.35 | $5.00 | $128.35 |
| Truck (6+ axle, base) | $136.02 | $130.02 | $6.00 | $154.02 |
| Bus (2 axle, 10+ seating) | $21.00 | $16.00 | $5.00 | $30.00 |
The Green Pass plan is limited to enrolled plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on NY E-ZPass accounts. Toll-by-Mail does not vary by time of day.
How Peak Toll Pricing Works on the GWB
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey introduced time-of-day toll pricing to help manage traffic congestion on its bridges and tunnels. The concept is straightforward: by charging a higher toll during the busiest travel times and a lower toll during less congested periods, the Port Authority incentivizes drivers to shift their travel to off-peak hours when capacity is available.
Peak pricing applies exclusively to E-ZPass users because the system requires real-time electronic identification to determine the time of crossing. Toll-by-Mail relies on cameras and plate matching, and the billing system does not apply time-of-day pricing. As a result, Toll-by-Mail drivers pay a flat rate of $23.30 for passenger cars at all hours.
The peak and off-peak distinction is determined by the timestamp when your vehicle passes through the toll gantry. The E-ZPass reader records the exact time to the second. If you pass through at 5:59 AM, you are charged the off-peak rate. At 6:00 AM, the peak rate applies. Similarly, the transition happens at exactly 10:00 AM (peak to off-peak) and 4:00 PM (off-peak to peak).
Weekends have their own peak window: Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM are billed at the peak rate, covering the daytime leisure and shopping traffic into Manhattan. Weekend mornings before 11:00 AM and nights after 9:00 PM are off-peak. The Port Authority publishes no holiday exceptions; holidays follow the standard weekday or weekend schedule for whichever day they fall on.
When to Cross to Save the Most Money
If your schedule offers any flexibility, choosing the right time to cross the George Washington Bridge can make a meaningful difference in your annual toll costs. Here are the best strategies for each type of driver.
Morning Commuters
The morning peak window runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays. If you can cross before 6:00 AM, you pay the off-peak rate of $14.79 instead of $16.79. Crossing at 5:45 AM instead of 6:15 AM saves $2.00 per trip. Over 260 working days, that is $520 in savings. Traffic is also significantly lighter before 6:00 AM, so you save time along with money.
Afternoon and Evening Commuters
The afternoon peak window runs from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays. Tolls are eastbound only, so the peak pricing primarily affects drivers returning to New York from New Jersey in the late afternoon. If your return trip can wait until after 8:00 PM, you save $2.00 each time. Alternatively, leaving before 4:00 PM (if heading eastbound) captures the off-peak rate.
Midday Travelers
The window between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays is off-peak. This is the best time for non-rush-hour travelers, including those running errands, making deliveries, or traveling for appointments. Both the toll rate and traffic congestion are lower during these hours.
Weekend Drivers
Weekend daytime is peak: from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, an E-ZPass car pays $16.79. Cross before 11:00 AM or after 9:00 PM and the rate drops to $14.79. An 8:00 AM Saturday crossing is both cheaper and faster than a 1:00 PM one; weekend traffic into Manhattan builds through late morning and afternoon, exactly the window the peak rate covers.
Annual Savings by Shifting to Off-Peak
The table below shows how much you can save per year by shifting some or all of your GWB crossings from peak to off-peak hours. These figures assume a passenger car with E-ZPass and 52 weeks of travel.
| Scenario | Weekly Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Switch 5 peak crossings/week to off-peak | $10.00 | $520 |
| Switch 10 peak crossings/week to off-peak | $20.00 | $1,040 |
| Switch 3 peak crossings/week to off-peak | $6.00 | $312 |
| Green Pass EV plan, 10 off-peak crossings/week ($11.29 vs $14.79) | $35.00 | $1,820 |
| Shift 2 peak days + E-ZPass (from Toll-by-Mail) | $34.04 | $1,770 |
Savings based on the $2.00 per-crossing difference between E-ZPass peak ($16.79) and off-peak ($14.79) for passenger cars at the Jan 2026 rates. The peak/off-peak gap shrinks each year from 2027 to 2029 and disappears in 2030. Calculate your custom savings.
GWB Traffic Patterns by Time of Day
Understanding when traffic is heaviest helps you plan crossings that save both time and money.
| Time | Direction | Congestion | Toll Rate | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM | Eastbound (into NYC) | Light | Off-Peak | Best time for early commuters |
| 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Eastbound | Moderate | Peak | Congestion building |
| 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Eastbound | Heavy | Peak | Worst eastbound congestion |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Eastbound | Moderate | Peak | Congestion easing |
| 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Both | Light to moderate | Off-Peak | Best midday window |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Westbound (into NJ) | Moderate | Off-Peak | Last off-peak hour before rush |
| 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Westbound | Heavy | Peak | Worst westbound congestion |
| 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Westbound | Moderate | Peak | Congestion easing |
| 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Both | Light | Off-Peak | Low traffic, off-peak rate |
| 12:00 AM - 5:00 AM | Both | Very light | Off-Peak | Lowest traffic of the day |
Weekday pattern shown. On Saturdays and Sundays the peak rate applies 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Congestion levels are approximate and vary by season, weather, and special events. Toll rates apply to eastbound crossings only (tolls are one-way).
Why the Port Authority Uses Peak Pricing
The George Washington Bridge carries approximately 284,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the busiest motor vehicle bridges in the world. During peak commuting hours, traffic volume can exceed the bridge's practical capacity, leading to severe congestion, long delays, and reduced travel reliability.
Peak toll pricing is a demand management tool. By making the busiest hours more expensive, the Port Authority encourages a portion of drivers to shift their travel to less congested periods. This approach, known as congestion pricing or value pricing, has been adopted by transportation agencies worldwide. Research consistently shows that even a small percentage of traffic shifting to off-peak hours can significantly reduce congestion and improve travel times for everyone.
For the GWB specifically, the $2.00 peak premium is relatively modest compared to the full cost of driving, but it provides a measurable financial incentive. A daily commuter who shifts to off-peak hours saves over $1,000 per year at the current rates. PANYNJ has approved a four-year phase-out of this off-peak discount starting January 2027, which suggests the agency now wants the price gap to play a smaller role in shaping behaviour and the overall toll level to do more of the demand-management work.
Toll-by-Mail and Peak Pricing: No Benefit
It is worth emphasizing that Toll-by-Mail users receive no benefit from peak vs off-peak pricing. The $23.30 Toll-by-Mail rate for passenger cars applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of when you cross. This means a Toll-by-Mail driver crossing at 3:00 AM on a Sunday pays the same $23.30 as one crossing at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday.
This flat pricing structure exists because Toll-by-Mail relies on license plate cameras and after-the-fact billing, rather than real-time electronic communication with a transponder. The system captures a timestamp, but the billing does not differentiate by time of day.
For drivers who cross the GWB regularly, this is another strong reason to get E-ZPass. Not only do you save on every crossing, but you also unlock the ability to save further by choosing off-peak travel times. The combination of E-ZPass plus off-peak travel gives you the lowest possible toll: $14.79 for passenger cars, compared to $23.30 for Toll-by-Mail. That is a savings of $8.51 per crossing, or about $4,425 per year for a daily commuter (10 crossings/week). Learn how to get E-ZPass.
Combining Peak Savings with Other Discounts
Drivers of plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles can stack a second discount on top of off-peak timing. The PANYNJ Green Pass Discount Plan (PA GREEN), available to enrolled Class 1 vehicles on NY E-ZPass accounts, cuts the off-peak rate to $11.29 per crossing, $3.50 below the standard off-peak rate of $14.79. The peak rate for Green Pass vehicles stays at $16.79, so the plan rewards off-peak travel specifically.
Note that the old carpool discount no longer exists: PANYNJ ended it when its crossings converted to cashless tolling, since there are no toll-booth staff to verify occupancy. For an enrolled EV making 10 off-peak eastbound crossings per week, the Green Pass saves $1,820 per year versus standard off-peak E-ZPass. Read our complete guide to saving money on GWB tolls.
Explore More
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the peak hours for George Washington Bridge tolls?
Peak toll hours on the George Washington Bridge are weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, plus Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. During these hours, E-ZPass passenger cars pay $16.79 per eastbound crossing. All other times are off-peak, when the E-ZPass rate drops to $14.79. Tariff effective 4 January 2026.
How much cheaper is the GWB toll during off-peak hours?
The off-peak E-ZPass toll for a passenger car is $14.79, which is $2.00 less than the peak rate of $16.79. For larger vehicles, the savings are smaller in percentage terms but larger in absolute dollars: a 5-axle truck saves $5.00 per crossing by traveling off-peak. The Toll-by-Mail rate ($23.30 for cars) does not change based on time of day.
Is the off-peak discount permanent?
No. PANYNJ has approved a four-year phase-out of the off-peak E-ZPass discount starting January 2027. The off-peak rate will rise 50¢ per year (from $14.79 to $15.29 in 2027, $15.79 in 2028, $16.29 in 2029, and $16.79 in 2030), at which point off-peak equals peak and the discount is eliminated. Plan accordingly if you currently rely on off-peak savings.
Are weekends peak or off-peak on the GWB?
Both. Saturdays and Sundays have a peak window from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, when E-ZPass cars pay the peak rate of $16.79. Weekend mornings before 11:00 AM and nights after 9:00 PM are off-peak at $14.79. A common misconception is that weekends are entirely off-peak; the PANYNJ schedule explicitly defines weekend peak hours.
How much can I save per year by switching to off-peak hours?
A daily commuter with E-ZPass making 10 eastbound crossings per week saves $1,040 per year by shifting all crossings from peak to off-peak hours ($20.00 per week x 52 weeks). Even shifting half of your crossings to off-peak saves approximately $520 per year. Note this saving will gradually reduce after January 2027 as the off-peak rate climbs toward the peak rate by 2030.
Does the Toll-by-Mail rate change for peak vs off-peak?
No. The Toll-by-Mail rate is a flat $23.30 for passenger cars at all times of day, whether peak or off-peak. The peak/off-peak discount is an exclusive benefit of E-ZPass. This means Toll-by-Mail drivers pay the same rate at 3:00 AM as they do at 8:00 AM.
Are holidays peak or off-peak for GWB tolls?
Holidays follow the standard schedule; the Port Authority publishes no holiday exceptions. A holiday that falls on a weekday (such as Memorial Day or Labor Day) uses the weekday peak windows of 6-10 AM and 4-8 PM, and holidays falling on a weekend use the weekend peak window of 11 AM-9 PM.