George Washington Bridge Truck & Commercial Toll Rates 2026
Complete toll rates by axle count for trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles.
Tolls collected eastbound only (into NYC). Pricing based on number of axles.
Complete Commercial Toll Rates by Axle Count
Truck and commercial vehicle rates for the George Washington Bridge. Peak hours: weekdays 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
| Vehicle Type | Axles | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | E-ZPass Overnight | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car / SUV (2 axle) | 2 | $16.79 | $14.79 | n/a | $23.30 |
| Small truck / dual-rear-wheel pickup (2 axle) | 2* | $45.34 | $43.34 | $40.34 | $51.34 |
| Large truck / box truck (3 axle) | 3 | $68.01 | $65.01 | $60.51 | $77.01 |
| Semi-truck / tractor-trailer (4 axle) | 4 | $90.68 | $86.68 | $80.68 | $102.68 |
| Large tractor-trailer (5 axle) | 5 | $113.35 | $108.35 | $100.85 | $128.35 |
| Multi-trailer / heavy haul (6+ axle, base) | 6+ | $136.02 | $130.02 | $121.02 | $154.02 |
* 2-axle trucks with dual rear wheels are classified as commercial vehicles (PANYNJ Class 2), not passenger cars. 6+ axle rates show base pricing; PANYNJ adds $22.67 (peak) / $21.67 (off-peak) / $20.17 (overnight) per additional axle beyond 6. The E-ZPass overnight rate applies to trucks crossing Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and runs more than 20% below the Toll-by-Mail rate. Rates set by the Port Authority of NY & NJ; truck tariff effective 4 January 2026, bus classes recut 12 July 2026. Every rate above was checked against the published Port Authority toll schedule on 24 October 2026.
How Axle-Based Toll Pricing Works
The George Washington Bridge uses an axle-based toll system for commercial vehicles. The more axles your vehicle has, the higher the toll. This pricing structure reflects the greater road wear, bridge stress, and space requirements of larger vehicles.
As your truck passes through the toll gantry, sensors embedded in the roadway (known as treadles) count the number of axles that roll over them. Overhead laser arrays and cameras provide additional classification data. The system automatically categorizes your vehicle and charges the appropriate toll based on the axle count detected.
If you are pulling a trailer with additional axles, those axles are counted toward your total. For example, a standard tractor with 2 axles pulling a trailer with 3 axles is classified as a 5-axle vehicle. If you are running without a trailer (bobtailing), only the tractor's axles are counted, resulting in a lower toll.
Lifted axles on a trailer do count if they are in the down position when you cross. To ensure you are charged correctly, keep any retractable axles in the raised position if the trailer is empty or lightly loaded. This can save a significant amount per crossing; the difference between a 4-axle and 5-axle toll is $22.67 during peak hours at the Jan 2026 rates ($113.35 vs $90.68).
Commercial E-ZPass Programs
The Port Authority and E-ZPass agencies offer commercial accounts designed specifically for fleet operators and trucking companies. These accounts provide several advantages beyond the basic E-ZPass toll discount.
Fleet E-ZPass
Fleet accounts allow businesses to manage multiple transponders under a single billing account. Each transponder is linked to a specific vehicle in the fleet, and all toll charges are consolidated into a single monthly invoice. This simplifies accounting and makes it easier to track toll expenses across an entire fleet. Fleet accounts also support pre-classification, where each transponder is configured with the correct axle count so the toll is calculated accurately every time.
Port Authority Commercial Account
Commercial operators who frequently use Port Authority crossings (the GWB, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, or Outerbridge Crossing) can apply for a Port Authority commercial account. These accounts may offer volume-based benefits and priority customer support for toll disputes and billing inquiries.
Pre-Classification
When you set up a commercial E-ZPass account, you can pre-classify each transponder with the vehicle's axle count. This ensures that the toll system charges the correct rate even if the automated sensors have difficulty counting axles in heavy traffic or adverse weather. Pre-classification is especially valuable for trailers with variable axle configurations, such as those with lift axles.
Bus Toll Rates
Public transit, charter, tour, and school bus rates on the George Washington Bridge.
| Bus Type | Axles | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini bus, 2-axle under 32 ft (Class 8A) | 2 | $21.00 | $16.80 | $30.45 |
| Bus, 2-axle 32 ft or longer (Class 8B) | 2 | $23.00 | $18.40 | $33.35 |
| Bus, 3-axle (Class 9) | 3+ | $25.00 | $20.00 | $36.25 |
Rates effective 12 July 2026. Before that date Classes 8 and 9 all paid the same $18.00 E-ZPass peak rate; the Port Authority now splits 2-axle buses at 32 feet (8A and 8B) and prices 3-axle buses (Class 9) separately. Unlike trucks, buses pay a flat per-class rate rather than a per-axle rate; off-peak is 0.8x peak and Toll-by-Mail is 1.45x peak. Public transit agencies may have separate billing arrangements with the Port Authority.
Annual Toll Costs for Commercial Vehicles
For fleet operators and independent truckers, understanding your annual toll burden is critical for pricing, route planning, and profitability. The following table shows estimated annual GWB toll costs for common commercial vehicle types based on 5 eastbound crossings per week (one round trip per business day).
| Scenario | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box truck (3 axle), 5 trips/week, peak | $340.05 | $1,473.55 | $17,683 |
| Box truck (3 axle), 5 trips/week, off-peak | $325.05 | $1,408.55 | $16,903 |
| Semi (5 axle), 5 trips/week, peak | $566.75 | $2,455.92 | $29,471 |
| Semi (5 axle), 5 trips/week, off-peak | $541.75 | $2,347.58 | $28,171 |
| Semi (5 axle), Toll-by-Mail | $641.75 | $2,780.92 | $33,371 |
Based on 52 weeks per year. Monthly calculated as (weekly x 52) / 12. Use our toll calculator for custom estimates.
Oversize Vehicles: Approval and a Police Escort, Not a Permit
The Port Authority does not run an oversize permit office or publish a permit application. Its Truckers' Guide says every oversize vehicle must have a Port Authority Police escort, and the operator must call the facility's Communications Desk before the trip for approval. For the GWB that desk is 201-346-4100, staffed around the clock.
The cost is set out in the same Guide: the toll for an oversized vehicle is double the established toll rate, plus an escort fee of $40.00, which the Port Authority notes is subject to change. Steps, limits and the six facility desks are on the GWB oversize vehicle page.
Height Limit: 13 Feet 6 Inches on Both Levels
The Truckers' Guide prints the same figure for both decks: GWB Upper Level 13 feet 6 inches, GWB Lower Level 13 feet 6 inches. Being open to the sky does not make the upper level taller. The published width limit for vehicles without safety devices is 10 feet.
Height is not what sends trucks upstairs. The Guide states as a flat rule that all trucks must use the upper level, with violators subject to summons and/or fine, so a low box truck is barred from the lower level exactly as a tall one is. A vehicle over 13 feet 6 inches is an oversize vehicle and follows the approval-and-escort rule above. Upper vs lower level, side by side.
Hazardous Materials: The Upper Level Is the Hazmat Route
The Port Authority's Traffic Rules and Regulations (revised February 2026) set hazmat access by USDOT class, in two columns. On the GWB upper level, the Bayonne, the Goethals and the Outerbridge, every class from 1.4 to 9 is permitted, and so is propane. Explosives in classes 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are permitted only with the facility manager's permission obtained in advance, additional fees and a Port Authority Police escort. Nuclear weapons are prohibited everywhere.
The GWB lower level, the Lincoln Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel are the restricted column: every class is prohibited there, apart from three exceptions: class 1.4 to 1.6 loads that need no placards, class 7 manufactured articles, and small Materials of Trade quantities in most other classes (carried as part of a business), and there is no exception at all for propane. A placarded load between New Jersey and upper Manhattan or the Bronx therefore crosses on the GWB upper level, and a tunnel is not an alternative for it. Every hazmat vehicle is subject to inspection and must show its shipping papers on demand.
Sources for the oversize, height, weight and hazmat rules above: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Truckers' Guide (English, April 2026), read 4 October 2026; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, TB&T Traffic Rules and Regulations (revised February 2026), Section 3 and Section 4 Tables 3 and 4, read 18 October 2026.
Route Planning for Commercial Vehicles
The George Washington Bridge is a critical link for commercial traffic on the I-95 corridor. Trucks traveling between New England and the mid-Atlantic states frequently use the GWB as part of their route through the New York metropolitan area. Here are key considerations for route planning.
- I-95 connection: The GWB connects I-95 in New Jersey (also known as the approach lanes from I-80 and Route 46) directly to I-95 in New York (the Cross Bronx Expressway and Trans-Manhattan Expressway).
- Congestion patterns: The GWB and Cross Bronx Expressway are among the most congested roadways in the nation. Eastbound traffic is heaviest on weekday mornings (7:00 AM to 9:30 AM) and westbound traffic peaks in the late afternoon (4:30 PM to 7:00 PM). Commercial drivers should plan crossings during off-peak hours when possible to save both time and money.
- Weight limits: On Port Authority bridges the Traffic Rules cap a combination vehicle with four or more axles at 80,000 pounds gross, 20,000 pounds on any one axle and 34,000 pounds on a tandem. A 5-axle tractor-trailer inside those limits needs no special authorization; one over them needs the manager's permission in advance and pays additional charges.
- Alternative crossings: For trucks that would rather avoid the GWB, the Tappan Zee Bridge (Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge) on I-287 is the nearest Hudson River crossing to the north. To the south, the Lincoln Tunnel takes tractor-trailers within its length limits and the Holland Tunnel only two- and three-axle single-unit trucks, and neither takes hazmat loads. Compare all alternative Hudson River crossings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the George Washington Bridge toll for a truck?
GWB truck tolls (tariff effective 4 January 2026) depend on the number of axles. A 2-axle truck with dual rear wheels pays $45.34 (E-ZPass peak) or $43.34 (E-ZPass off-peak). A 3-axle truck pays $68.01 peak or $65.01 off-peak. A standard 5-axle semi-truck pays $113.35 peak or $108.35 off-peak. Toll-by-Mail rates are higher for all categories. A discounted E-ZPass overnight rate also applies to trucks crossing Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM: a 2-axle truck pays $40.34 and a 5-axle semi pays $100.85 overnight, more than 20% below the Toll-by-Mail rate. Tolls are collected eastbound only.
How are GWB truck tolls calculated?
Truck tolls on the George Washington Bridge are based on the number of axles on the vehicle. The toll gantry uses sensors (treadles and laser arrays) to count axles as each vehicle passes through. More axles mean a higher toll. The base rate for a standard 2-axle passenger vehicle is $16.79 (E-ZPass peak), while a 6-axle truck pays $136.02 (base) at the same time.
Do commercial trucks need E-ZPass for the GWB?
E-ZPass is not required but is strongly recommended. Without E-ZPass, trucks are charged the higher Toll-by-Mail rate. Commercial E-ZPass accounts also provide consolidated billing, trip reports, and potential fleet management benefits. For a 5-axle semi making 5 trips per week, E-ZPass off-peak saves about $5,200 per year compared to Toll-by-Mail at the Jan 2026 rates.
Can hazmat trucks use the George Washington Bridge?
Yes, on the upper level. The Port Authority's Traffic Rules and Regulations (revised February 2026) mark every USDOT hazmat class from 1.4 to 9, plus propane, as permitted on the GWB upper level, the Bayonne, the Goethals and the Outerbridge. Explosives in classes 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 need the facility manager's permission in advance, additional fees and a Port Authority Police escort. Hazmat is prohibited on the GWB lower level and in the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, apart from three exceptions: class 1.4 to 1.6 loads that need no placards, class 7 manufactured articles, and small Materials of Trade quantities in most other classes, and there is no exception for propane. So the tunnels are not a hazmat alternative to the GWB; the GWB upper level is the hazmat route.
What is the height limit for trucks on the GWB?
13 feet 6 inches, on both levels. The Port Authority's Truckers' Guide (April 2026) lists GWB Upper Level 13 feet 6 inches and GWB Lower Level 13 feet 6 inches, so the open-air upper deck is not taller. Height does not decide the level for a truck: all trucks must use the upper level whatever they measure. A vehicle over the limit is an oversize vehicle, which needs approval from the GWB Communications Desk before the trip and a Port Authority Police escort, and pays double the toll plus a $40.00 escort fee.
Do buses pay tolls on the George Washington Bridge?
Yes. Before 12 July 2026 every bus paid the same $18.00 E-ZPass peak rate. Effective 12 July 2026 the Port Authority priced three bus classes separately. A 2-axle mini bus under 32 feet (Class 8A) pays $21.00 E-ZPass peak; a 2-axle bus 32 feet or longer (Class 8B) pays $23.00; and a 3-axle bus (Class 9) pays $25.00. For each class the off-peak rate is 0.8 times the peak rate and Toll-by-Mail is 1.45 times the peak rate.