New York Toll Roads Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Thruway and Congestion Pricing 2026
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New York Toll Roads, Bridges & Tunnels Complete Guide
System: Multi-authority: E-ZPass + plate on NY Thruway; all-electronic on MTA bridges and tunnels; congestion pricing on Manhattan CBD; separate systems for upstate Hudson River and Canadian border crossings
Coverage: 570-mile NYS Thruway (I-90/I-87), NYC bridges and tunnels (MTA and Port Authority), Manhattan CBD Congestion Relief Zone, plus NYSBA Hudson River bridges and Niagara/border crossings to Canada
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass transponders (19-state network, also accepted at some Canadian border bridges), cashless all-electronic tolling, license plate cameras, dynamic time-of-day pricing
Operators: NY Thruway Authority, MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Port Authority of NY/NJ, NYC MTA (congestion pricing), New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA - operates Bear Mountain, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Mid-Hudson, Newburgh-Beacon, and Rip Van Winkle bridges over the Hudson River - a separate authority absent from earlier versions of this guide), Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (Lewiston-Queenston, Whirlpool Rapids, Rainbow bridges), Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (Peace Bridge)
Do I Need E-ZPass for New York? 2026 Update
E-ZPass is not legally required on most New York toll roads, but without it you pay significantly higher Tolls by Mail rates - and on all MTA bridges and tunnels, E-ZPass is the only way to get the standard rate. For the Manhattan CBD Congestion Relief Zone, E-ZPass at $9 per crossing saves $4.50 versus the $13.50 Tolls by Mail rate. E-ZPass also works at some (but not all) Canadian border bridges - see the dedicated section below.
Key Reality: New York operates the most complex toll network in the United States, with at least seven separate toll authorities collecting tolls across the state - not just the four commonly discussed (Thruway, MTA, Port Authority, CBD congestion pricing), but also the New York State Bridge Authority (5 Hudson River bridges), the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (3 Canadian border bridges), and the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (Peace Bridge). A daily commuter using multiple NYC toll facilities can save $1,000+ annually with E-ZPass.
2026 Update - Congestion Pricing Upheld: The Central Business District Tolling Program (congestion pricing) launched January 5, 2025. The Trump Administration moved to revoke federal approval, but a federal judge ruled on March 3, 2026 that the revocation was unlawful. Congestion pricing remains fully in effect. The toll is $9 E-ZPass / $13.50 Tolls by Mail for standard passenger vehicles during peak hours; overnight rate is $2.25 E-ZPass / $3.38 Tolls by Mail. Separately, the three Niagara Falls Bridge Commission bridges (Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids, Lewiston-Queenston) increased car tolls from $5 to $6 in 2025, while the neighboring Peace Bridge held its rate steady - these are two entirely separate authorities.
New York Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
Manhattan CBD Congestion Relief Zone (Current 2026)
| Vehicle Type | Peak E-ZPass | Peak Tolls by Mail | Overnight E-ZPass (75% off) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, small vans | $9.00 | $13.50 | $2.25 |
| Motorcycles | $4.50 | $6.75 | $1.05 |
| Small trucks (single-unit) and charter buses | $14.40 | $21.60 | $3.60 |
| Large trucks (multi-unit) and tour buses | $21.60 | $32.40 | $5.40 |
Phase-in schedule: The current $9 peak rate (60% of the full $15 rate) will remain through 2027. The rate will increase to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031.
NY State Thruway - Key Rates (2026)
| Route | NY E-ZPass Rate |
|---|---|
| Per mile (NY E-ZPass, Class 1 passenger) | ~4.7c/mile |
| NYC to Albany (full main line, ~145 miles) | ~$6.80 |
| NYC to Buffalo (full I-90 length, ~280 miles) | ~$13.00 |
| Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee) | Variable (base + $0.50/yr increase 2024-2027) |
NYC Metro Bridges & Tunnels (2026)
| Facility | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Tolls by Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington Bridge (Port Authority) | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Lincoln Tunnel (Port Authority) | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
| Holland Tunnel (Port Authority) | $16.79 | $14.73 | $23.05 |
Toll-free NYC bridges: Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, and Queensboro Bridge (for non-tolled ramp access) are entirely toll-free and provide cross-East River access for all vehicles without charge.
Upstate New York and Canadian Border Bridges (2026)
New York has two entirely separate categories of toll bridges not covered by NY Thruway, MTA, or Port Authority.
New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) - Hudson River Crossings: A separate operator from all of the above, NYSBA operates 5 Hudson River bridges: Bear Mountain Bridge, Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, Mid-Hudson Bridge, Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, and Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Check toll rates directly for current per-bridge rates.
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission - 3 Canadian Border Bridges: This is a distinct international public agency operating exactly three bridges, all crossing the Niagara River into Ontario, Canada.
| Bridge | 2026 Car Toll | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Bridge | $8.50 CAD | Toll charged entering Canada only; free entering the US |
| Whirlpool Rapids Bridge | $8.50 CAD | Same direction rule; toll booth located as you begin crossing into Canada |
| Lewiston-Queenston Bridge | $8.50 CAD | Toll booth located in Canada; accepts E-ZPass - the second Canadian E-ZPass facility after Peace Bridge |
All three bridges increased from $5 to $6 in 2025, with cash and ExpressPass/NEXUS rates now equalized at the same amount. Motorcycles pay the same rate. A standard 5-axle commercial truck pays $34 (up from $32.00).
Peace Bridge (Separate Authority - Rates Held Steady): Operated by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority - a completely separate entity from the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. Peace Bridge rates remained steady while the three Niagara Falls Bridge Commission crossings increased in 2025. E-ZPass is accepted - it was the first Canadian E-ZPass collection facility, predating Lewiston-Queenston's implementation.
Other NY-Canada Border Bridges: Seaway International Bridge (Cornwall/Massena) and Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge are additional NY-Canada crossings; check Border toll for current figures.
Scenic Toll Roads (Not Highway Facilities): Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (Lake George) and Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (Adirondacks) are seasonal scenic mountain drives with their own separate toll/admission structure, distinct from all highway tolling authorities above.
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across New York toll roads, use the TollGuru New York toll calculator:
How to Pay New York Tolls
1. E-ZPass NY (Recommended for most facilities):
- NY E-ZPass provides the best rates on Thruway, MTA bridges and tunnels, NYSBA bridges, and the congestion pricing zone
- The New York Thruway and the MTA charge higher E-ZPass rates to out-of-state accounts (like NJ E-ZPass or I-PASS) than they do to accounts issued natively by E-ZPass NY
- Open or manage at e-zpassny | 1-800-333-8655; or purchase at 500+ retail locations statewide
- All MTA bridges and tunnels are fully cashless - E-ZPass is the primary payment; otherwise Tolls by Mail applies
2. Tolls by Mail / Pay by Plate (most expensive):
- License plate cameras on all cashless facilities capture your plate and mail a bill to the registered vehicle owner
- Rates significantly higher: congestion zone $13.50 vs $9 E-ZPass; Port Authority $23.05 vs $16.79 E-ZPass peak
- Unpaid tolls escalate: $5.50 admin fee after 30 days; registration/license suspension after 90+ days
- NY Thruway: Tolls by Mail available with no cash lane present
3. Cash (Thruway, Port Authority, and Canadian border bridges):
- NY Thruway: cashless
- Port Authority (GW Bridge, Lincoln/Holland Tunnels): cashless
- Niagara Falls Bridge Commission bridges: cash accepted, and now equalized with the ExpressPass/NEXUS rate at $8.50 CAD
- All MTA bridges and tunnels: cash NOT accepted - fully cashless since 2017
- Congestion Relief Zone: cash NOT accepted - fully electronic via E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail
NY State Thruway - System Overview
The New York State Thruway is one of the longest toll roads in the United States, spanning approximately 570 miles. Key sections include I-90 from the NYC metro area through Albany, Syracuse, and Rochester to Buffalo, plus I-87 northward from the New York City area through the Hudson Valley to Albany and the Adirondacks.
Thruway rate structure: NY E-ZPass ~4.7c/mile for Class 1 passenger vehicles through the end of 2026. On January 1, 2027, a scheduled 5% increase will raise the NY E-ZPass rate to ~4.9c/mile. The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (former Tappan Zee) receives $0.50 annual increases to its base NY E-ZPass toll rate from 2024-2027 in addition to the system-wide adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NYC congestion pricing still active in 2026?
Yes. The program launched January 5, 2025 and has remained continuously in effect. A federal judge ruled on March 3, 2026 that the Trump Administration's attempt to revoke federal approval was unlawful, and the program continues operating.
Can I use E-ZPass from another state in New York?
The NY Thruway charges out-of-state E-ZPass holders a significantly higher baseline rate per mile compared to native E-ZPass NY accounts
Does E-ZPass work at the Canadian border bridges?
Yes, at some of them. Both the Peace Bridge and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge accept E-ZPass - Peace Bridge was the first Canadian E-ZPass facility, and Lewiston-Queenston was the second. Confirm current acceptance at Rainbow Bridge, Whirlpool Rapids, and the more remote crossings (Seaway International, Ogdensburg-Prescott) directly with each operator before relying on your transponder there.
When will the NY Thruway raise rates again?
The NY Thruway's current rate structure runs through December 31, 2026. The next scheduled system-wide toll adjustment is January 1, 2027, when NY E-ZPass rates increase 5% from ~4.7c/mile to ~4.9c/mile.
Is the Peace Bridge run by the same authority as the other Niagara Falls crossings?
No. Peace Bridge is operated by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, while Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids, and Lewiston-Queenston are all operated by the separate Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. This is why Peace Bridge held its rate steady in 2025 while the other three increased.
New York vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Thruway, MTA, Port Authority, CBD congestion, NYSBA, Niagara/Peace Bridge crossings | E-ZPass (NY for discount programs) | Most complex toll network in US - 7 separate authorities; congestion pricing upheld Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey | Turnpike, Parkway, AC Expressway, Port Authority crossings | E-ZPass (NJ for peak discounts) | 3% increase Jan 2026; AC Expressway went cashless Jan 4 2026 |
| Connecticut | No passenger car tolls | N/A (truck tolls only) | I-95 and I-84 toll-free for cars through Connecticut |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Turnpike; highest toll rates in US | E-ZPass | Annual increases; connects to NY Thruway at Buffalo |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- New York Toll Calculator - Calculate tolls for any NY route including congestion pricing
- E-ZPass New York - Open account, manage transponder, view discounts; 1-800-333-8655
- MTA Congestion Relief Zone - Official CBD toll rates, exemptions, and discount plans
- NY Thruway Authority - System-wide toll rates, service plazas, travel advisories
- MTA Bridges & Tunnels - NYC bridge and tunnel rates, E-ZPass
- Port Authority of NY/NJ - GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel information
- New York State Bridge Authority - Bear Mountain, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Mid-Hudson, Newburgh-Beacon, Rip Van Winkle bridge rates
- Niagara Falls Bridge Commission - Lewiston-Queenston, Whirlpool Rapids, Rainbow bridge rates
- Peace Bridge - Official rates, separate authority from the other Niagara crossings
- EZ Border Crossing - Comparison of all US-Canada bridge tolls
