George Washington Bridge Tolls 2024: Cash vs. E-ZPass Rates

The George Washington Bridge—the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge, connecting Fort Lee, NJ to Manhattan's Washington Heights—uses a tiered toll system that rewards electronic payment.

Current Toll Rates (2024)

Peak hours: Weekdays 6–10 AM, 4–8 PM. Off-peak: All other times, weekends, holidays.

Key Details

• Direction: Tolls collected eastbound only (entering NYC). Westbound is free.
• Payment: Cash lanes being phased out; "Tolls by Mail" (license plate imaging) bills registered owner at cash rate + fees.
• E-ZPass discounts: Require NY/NJ/CT issued transponder for off-peak rate; out-of-state E-ZPass pays peak rate.
• Carpool: No longer discounted (ended 2021).
• Staten Island residents: Separate discount program for Verrazzano, not GWB.

Annual Cost Perspective

A daily commuter (250 round trips/year) pays:

• Cash/Tolls by Mail: ~$8,500/year
• E-ZPass Peak: ~$6,250/year
• E-ZPass Off-Peak (if schedule allows): ~$5,875/year

The GWB's tolls fund Port Authority operations (airports, PATH, ports, other crossings) and debt service. Congestion pricing for Manhattan CBD (planned 2024) will add another layer for drivers continuing past the bridge.