New Hampshire Turnpike Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Rates and Payment 2026
Click on the map to open toll wiki for a country/state
New Hampshire Turnpike System Complete Guide
System: Electronic (E-ZPass) + Cash — both accepted at all 7 toll plazas
Coverage: 88.9 miles across 3 turnpikes: Blue Star Turnpike (I-95), Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16), F.E. Everett Turnpike (I-93)
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass transponders (19-state network), Open Road Tolling at Hampton and Hooksett, manned cash booths at all plazas; AET expanding overnight
Operator: New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) — Turnpike System self-funded since 1950
Do I Need E-ZPass for New Hampshire? 2026 Update
No — cash is still accepted at all New Hampshire turnpike toll plazas. However, E-ZPass provides a consistent 30% discount on all tolls statewide, and the state is expanding All-Electronic Tolling (AET) at certain plazas overnight.
Key Reality: A standard 2-axle vehicle pays $2.00 cash or $1.40 with E-ZPass at each main toll plaza — a 30% saving. For daily commuters passing through Hooksett twice a day, five days a week, E-ZPass saves over $260 annually. New Hampshire E-ZPass accounts work on all 19 E-ZPass states, and other state E-ZPass transponders work equally well in New Hampshire.
2026 Update: AET expansion is underway — Dover and Rochester plazas on the Spaulding Turnpike operate All-Electronic Tolling 24/7, and additional plazas are switching to AET overnight (10 PM–6 AM). Open Road Tolling (high-speed, no stopping) is available at Hampton and Hooksett mainline plazas. The Turnpike System has operated since 1950 and is entirely self-funded through toll revenue — no state or federal tax dollars are used for construction or operations.
New Hampshire Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
New Hampshire uses an open-barrier toll system — 7 toll plazas across 3 turnpikes. Rates are per-plaza, not per-mile. Standard passenger vehicle rates apply to all 3 turnpikes equally at main-line plazas.
Current Rates by Vehicle Class — Main-Line Plazas (2026)
| Vehicle Class | E-ZPass Rate | Cash Rate | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-axle vehicles (passenger cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks, vans) | $1.40 | $2.00 | 30% |
| 3-axle vehicles | Higher than 2-axle | Higher than 2-axle | 30% |
| 4-axle vehicles | Higher than 3-axle | Higher than 3-axle | 30% |
| Everett Turnpike Exit 10 ramp plazas (Merrimack) | $0.70 | $1.00 | 30% |
Three Turnpike Sample Costs — 2-Axle Vehicle (2026)
| Turnpike | Route / Length | Full Route (E-ZPass) | Full Route (Cash) | Key Plazas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Turnpike (I-95) | 16.9 miles; MA border → Portsmouth | $1.40 | $2.00 | Hampton (ORT available); Piscataqua River Bridge at ME border |
| Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) | 33.2 miles; Portsmouth → Milton | $1.40 | $2.00 | Dover, Rochester (AET 24/7); eastern NH corridor to Lakes Region |
| F.E. Everett Turnpike (I-93) | 39.5 miles; MA border → Concord | $1.40 + $0.70 (ramp) | $2.00 + $1.00 (ramp) | Hooksett (ORT available); Merrimack ramp plazas (Exits 10/11) |
For exact toll amounts between specific entry and exit points, use the official NHDOT toll rate schedule at dot.nh.gov or the TollGuru New Hampshire calculator:
How to Pay New Hampshire Tolls
1. E-ZPass (Recommended — 30% savings):
- Any E-ZPass transponder from the 19-state network works in New Hampshire at the same discounted rate — no need to open a separate NH account if you already have E-ZPass from another state
- New Hampshire E-ZPass available at ezpassnh.com — customer service center or online
- Open Road Tolling (ORT) — drive through at highway speed without slowing — available at Hampton (I-95) and Hooksett (I-93) mainline plazas
- All other plazas: E-ZPass lanes available alongside attended cash lanes
2. Cash:
- Accepted at all 7 toll plazas; attended lanes operate at all hours
- The Merrimack Ramp Plazas (Exits 10 and 11 on the Everett Turnpike) have automatic exact change lanes for cars
- Rates: $2.00 for 2-axle vehicles at main-line plazas; $1.00 at Merrimack ramp plazas
3. Pay-by-Plate (AET plazas):
- At Dover, Rochester, and other AET plazas operating overnight, cameras capture your plate if you pass without a transponder and an invoice is mailed
- Pay-by-plate invoices are at a higher rate than E-ZPass (similar to cash rate) plus an administrative fee
- Pay within 7 days online at ezpassnh.com to avoid additional fees; violation notices carry escalating penalties
New Hampshire Turnpike System Overview
Blue Star Turnpike (I-95 / Eastern Turnpike): 16.9 miles along I-95 from the Massachusetts state line north to Portsmouth, where it meets the Spaulding Turnpike. Serves coastal communities, commuters traveling between Boston-area suburbs and Portsmouth/southern NH, and summer beach traffic to Hampton Beach. Hampton mainline plaza has Open Road Tolling for E-ZPass users. I-95 continues north across the Piscataqua River Bridge into Maine; the Maine Turnpike begins just across the border in Kittery.
Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16 / Eastern Turnpike): 33.2 miles from Portsmouth north through Dover, Rochester, and Milton to the Lakes Region. Together with the Blue Star Turnpike, forms the "Eastern Turnpike" system. Dover and Rochester plazas operate AET (All-Electronic Tolling) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — no cash lanes at these locations. Provides access to Lake Winnipesaukee, the White Mountains, and the Maine coast via Route 16.
F.E. Everett Turnpike (I-93 / Route 3 / Central Turnpike): 39.5 miles from the Massachusetts state line north through Nashua, Manchester, and south of Concord. The primary commuter corridor for Manchester and Concord residents working in the greater Boston metro area. Hooksett mainline plaza has Open Road Tolling; Merrimack ramp plazas at Exits 10 and 11 also collect tolls (these were constructed as part of a 1989 Merrimack road improvement deal and are ramp-specific).
Toll-free areas: All of New Hampshire north of Concord — including I-93 toward Franconia Notch, I-89 toward Lebanon and Vermont, I-91, and all US and state routes throughout the state — are completely toll-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Massachusetts or Maine E-ZPass in New Hampshire?
Yes. All E-ZPass transponders from the 19-state network work in New Hampshire at the same discounted rate as NH E-ZPass. You do not need a separate NH account. Simply use your existing transponder from any participating E-ZPass state.
Does New Hampshire have a pay-by-plate billing system?
Partially. At AET-only plazas (Dover, Rochester, and overnight at some others), plate cameras capture vehicles without transponders and invoices are mailed. At traditional plazas with attended cash lanes, cash payment is expected at the time of travel. If you pass an AET plaza without a transponder, pay promptly at ezpassnh.com to avoid penalties.
Are there toll-free routes through New Hampshire?
Yes. Route 101 (east-west through Manchester area), Route 4, Route 9, and most US and state highways are toll-free. Avoiding the three turnpikes adds travel time but is possible. For I-95 travel between Massachusetts and Maine, the turnpike is the direct route.
New Hampshire vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Rate / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 3 turnpikes; E-ZPass + cash; AET expanding | E-ZPass (any participating state) | $1.40 E-ZPass / $2.00 cash per main plaza |
| Maine | 109-mile I-95 turnpike; E-ZPass + cash; no pay-by-plate | E-ZPass (MTA for volume discounts) | ~4.9¢/mile; volume discounts for 30+ and 40+ trips/month |
| Massachusetts | Mass Pike + tunnels; all electronic; no cash | E-ZPass MA (lowest) / Pay By Plate | Full Pike ~$7.50 E-ZPass MA; no cash accepted |
| Vermont | No toll roads | N/A | Entirely toll-free; I-89 to NH border is free |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- New Hampshire Toll Calculator - Calculate tolls for any NH turnpike route
- NHDOT Turnpike Systems - Official toll rate schedule (E-ZPass and cash), system map, capital projects
- E-ZPass NH - Open account, manage balance, pay missed tolls; customer service center
- Maine Turnpike - I-95 toll road north of New Hampshire
- Massachusetts Turnpike - Mass Pike south of New Hampshire
