George Washington Bridge Toll Guide: E-ZPass Rates, Payment & Traffic 2025
Click on the map to open toll wiki for a country/state
George Washington Bridge Toll Guide
Bridge: George Washington Bridge (GWB) connecting Manhattan, NY and Fort Lee, NJ
Daily Traffic: 300,000+ vehicles (busiest motor vehicle bridge in the world)
Toll Direction: Eastbound only (entering New York from New Jersey)
Payment: E-ZPass, Tolls by Mail (100% cashless since 2020)
Operator: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Current George Washington Bridge Toll Rates (2025)
The George Washington Bridge uses time-of-day pricing with different rates for peak and off-peak hours. Tolls are collected eastbound only (entering Manhattan from New Jersey).
Passenger Cars & Motorcycles
| Time Period | E-ZPass Rate | Tolls by Mail | Carpool (3+ People) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Hours (Weekdays 6-10am, 4-8pm) | $15.00 | $17.00 | $7.50 |
| Off-Peak Hours (All Other Times) | $12.50 | $14.50 | $6.25 |
| Motorcycle | $7.50 (Peak) / $6.25 (Off-Peak) | $8.50 (Peak) / $7.25 (Off-Peak) | Not applicable |
Commercial Vehicles & Trucks
| Vehicle Class | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Tolls by Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Axle Truck/Van | $15.00 | $12.50 | $17.00 / $14.50 |
| 3-Axle Truck | $21.00 | $17.50 | $23.00 / $19.50 |
| 4-Axle Truck | $27.00 | $22.50 | $29.00 / $24.50 |
| 5-Axle Truck | $33.00 | $27.50 | $35.00 / $29.50 |
| 6+ Axle Truck | $39.00 | $32.50 | $41.00 / $34.50 |
Peak vs Off-Peak Hours Explained
The George Washington Bridge uses time-of-day pricing to manage traffic flow and encourage off-peak travel.
Peak Hours (Higher Rates):
- Weekdays: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM (morning rush)
- Weekdays: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (evening rush)
- Applies Monday through Friday only
Off-Peak Hours (Lower Rates):
- Weekdays: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (midday)
- Weekdays: 8:00 PM - 6:00 AM (overnight)
- All day Saturday and Sunday
- Federal holidays
Money-Saving Tip: Traveling during off-peak hours saves $2.50 per trip with E-ZPass ($2.00 with Tolls by Mail). Annual commuters can save $1,300+ by adjusting travel times.
How to Pay George Washington Bridge Tolls
The George Washington Bridge converted to 100% cashless tolling in 2020. You can pay using these methods:
1. E-ZPass (Recommended):
- Lowest toll rates: $2.00-2.50 savings per trip
- Dedicated lanes for faster crossing
- Works on all Port Authority facilities
- Compatible with E-ZPass from any participating state
- Available online, by phone, or at 1,500+ retail locations
2. Tolls by Mail:
- License plate captured by cameras
- Bill mailed to registered vehicle owner
- Higher rates than E-ZPass
- 30-day payment period before penalties
- $5.00 administrative fee per violation if unpaid
3. Carpool Discount Program:
- 50% discount for vehicles with 3+ occupants
- Available during peak hours only (6-10am, 4-8pm weekdays)
- Use designated carpool lanes
- E-ZPass required for automatic discount
- Manual verification available for non-E-ZPass users
Traffic Patterns & Best Travel Times
As the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge, the George Washington Bridge experiences significant traffic congestion during peak periods.
Typical Wait Times
| Time Period | Typical Wait | Heavy Traffic Days | Best Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Rush (7-9 AM) | 15-30 minutes | 45-60 minutes | Lincoln Tunnel |
| Evening Rush (5-7 PM) | 20-35 minutes | 60-90 minutes | Holland Tunnel |
| Midday (10 AM - 3 PM) | 5-15 minutes | 10-20 minutes | Best travel time |
| Weekends | 5-15 minutes | 20-30 minutes | Generally good |
Bridge Level Strategy
The George Washington Bridge has two levels with different traffic patterns:
Upper Level (I-95/US-1/US-9):
- 8 lanes total (4 eastbound, 4 westbound)
- Generally faster during heavy traffic
- Better views but more wind exposure
- Preferred for local Manhattan destinations
Lower Level (I-95/US-1/US-46):
- 6 lanes total (3 eastbound, 3 westbound)
- Often less congested during off-peak
- Direct access to Trans-Manhattan Expressway
- Better for Cross-Bronx Expressway connections
Bridge Information & History
The George Washington Bridge, completed in 1931, is an iconic suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River between Fort Lee, New Jersey and Washington Heights, Manhattan.
Key Facts
- Total Length: 4,760 feet (1,451 meters)
- Main Span: 3,500 feet (1,067 meters)
- Clearance: 212 feet (65 meters) above water
- Daily Traffic: 300,000+ vehicles (busiest motor vehicle bridge globally)
- Annual Crossings: 103+ million vehicles
- Construction Cost: $59 million (1931) / $1+ billion in 2025 dollars
Recent Improvements
- Cashless Tolling: Completed conversion in 2020, eliminating toll booths
- E-ZPass Express: Dedicated lanes for E-ZPass users
- LED Lighting: Energy-efficient lighting system installed 2019-2020
- Deck Rehabilitation: Ongoing multi-year bridge deck replacement program
- Traffic Management: Real-time traffic monitoring and lane control systems
Alternative Routes & Crossings
When the George Washington Bridge is heavily congested, consider these alternative Hudson River crossings:
Northern Alternatives
- Tappan Zee Bridge (Mario Cuomo Bridge) - $5.00 E-ZPass, 25 miles north
- Bear Mountain Bridge - $2.00 toll, 45 miles north, scenic route
- Newburgh-Beacon Bridge - $1.50 toll, 60 miles north
Southern Alternatives
- Lincoln Tunnel - Same rates as GWB, midtown access
- Holland Tunnel - Same rates as GWB, downtown access
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge - $10.17, connects via Staten Island
Cost Comparison
| Crossing | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Distance to Midtown |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington Bridge | $15.00 | $12.50 | 8 miles |
| Lincoln Tunnel | $15.00 | $12.50 | 1 mile |
| Holland Tunnel | $15.00 | $12.50 | 3 miles |
| Tappan Zee Bridge | $5.00 | $5.00 | 35 miles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no toll westbound from Manhattan to New Jersey?
The Port Authority collects tolls in one direction only to reduce traffic congestion and administrative costs. Eastbound collection covers the bridge's operating costs and debt service while maintaining traffic flow westbound.
Can I pay cash on the George Washington Bridge?
No, the George Washington Bridge converted to 100% cashless tolling in 2020. You must use E-ZPass or receive a Tolls by Mail bill. No cash, credit cards, or coins are accepted at the bridge.
How do I qualify for the carpool discount?
Vehicles with 3 or more occupants receive a 50% discount during peak hours (6-10am, 4-8pm weekdays). Use designated carpool lanes and have E-ZPass for automatic discount, or stop for manual verification if paying by mail.
What happens if I don't pay the toll?
Unpaid tolls result in violation notices: $5.00 administrative fee after 30 days, $50.00 suspension notice after 60 days, potential vehicle registration suspension after 90+ days. Payment plans are available for multiple violations.
Which level of the bridge should I use?
Upper level generally moves faster during heavy traffic and offers better views. Lower level provides direct access to the Trans-Manhattan Expressway and Cross-Bronx Expressway. Choose based on your destination and current traffic conditions.
Money-Saving Tips
Daily Commuters:
- Get E-ZPass: Save $2.00-2.50 per trip versus Tolls by Mail
- Travel off-peak: Save additional $2.50 per trip
- Carpool during peak: 50% discount with 3+ occupants
- Consider alternative work schedules to avoid peak hours
Occasional Users:
- Plan off-peak travel when possible
- Consider E-ZPass if crossing 3+ times per year
- Explore alternative routes like Tappan Zee Bridge for savings
- Check real-time traffic before departure
Annual Savings Examples:
- Daily commuter with E-ZPass: $520 savings vs Tolls by Mail
- Off-peak daily commuter: Additional $650 savings vs peak rates
- Peak-hour carpooler: $1,950 savings vs solo travel
- Combined strategies: $3,000+ annual savings possible
Useful Links & Resources
Related Toll Information:
- New York Toll Roads - Complete NY toll information
- Lincoln Tunnel Toll - Alternative NYC crossing
- Holland Tunnel Toll - Downtown Manhattan access
- Tappan Zee Bridge Toll - Northern alternative route
- E-ZPass New York - Account setup and management
- Port Authority Tolls - All PA facilities information
Official Resources:
- Port Authority of NY/NJ: (212) 435-7000 - Bridge operations and information
- E-ZPass Customer Service: 1-800-333-8655 - Account support
- Real-time Traffic: panynj.gov or 511NY mobile app
- Carpool Information: Port Authority website carpool program details
