Planning to visit the most famous city in the world? In a city that doesn’t sleep, there is never a dull day. New York, often referred to as the ‘Big Apple’, is a vibrant city known for its flashy Broadway performances, exclusive shops, high-flying business tycoons, and the amazing Central Park. The city offers endless possibilities and great diversity. From stunning hotels to a wide variety of nightlife attractions, it’s one of the best travel destinations ever. Wondering what New York’s tolling system looks like?

NY tolls

New York has one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System. Also, New York’s Thruway System is one of the longest toll roads in the entire country. The Thruway System is a new standard for modern highway geometric design. For example, it has wide median and an unobstructed driver sight distance. The system plays a crucial role in New York State’s economy. The mainline extends 426 miles from New York City to Buffalo. The entire system is now over 570 total miles. It includes 134 intersections. On top of that, over the Thruway System, the authority has maintenance responsibility for 817 bridges. The longest one is the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which replaced the former Tappan Zee Bridge.

NY state tolls

There are two main toll roads in New York: Niagara Connector and New England Thruway. Both are part of the NY Thruway System. The total amount you pay for using them depends on how far you travel, what vehicle class you’re driving, what your payment method is, and how many axles the vehicle has, and how tall it is.

Niagara Connector (Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway / Niagara Section)

Niagara Connector connects Buffalo to Niagara Falls. It was originally designated Interstate 90N in 1957. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) maintains it. It’s now the only auxiliary Interstate Highway to reach the Canada-US border. The cost of the toll road is based on a fixed rate depending on axles and distance traveled. For full length, you will pay $1.00 max (cars) or $5.00 max (trucks).

New England Thruway (Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway / New England Section)

New England Thruway connects Pelham Parkway in the Bronx to the Connecticut state line. It is 15 miles (24.14 km) long. The southern terminus is George Washington Bridge at the New York – New Jersey state line. The northern one is the New York – Connecticut state line. New England Thruway is now one of the main interstates, running along the east coast from Florida to Maine, and one of the longest toll superhighway systems in the US.

There is a fixed rate to use the New England Thruway. It depends on axles and distance traveled. You will pay $1.75 max for full-length (cars) or $9.75 max (trucks).

NY bridge tolls – how much are tolls in NY?

When you travel to New York, you will quickly see that there are many tolled bridges and tunnels. Toll charges vary depending on the number of axles on the vehicle, vehicle type and occupancy, as well as the time and the direction of your travel, and payment method. Not all toll bridges and tunnels charge tolls in both directions of travel. These connecting New York and New Jersey charge tolls only while entering New York. If you travel through Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel, you pay a one-way toll, only when entering Manhattan.

If you drive a 2-axle passenger vehicle, NY bridge tolls and tunnel tolls fees are as follows:

NY state tolls – how to pay?

There are several ways to pay tolls in New York. You can easily pay with E-ZPass, the state’s transponder system. When you decide to use the E-ZPass, you will be entitled to get a 30-50% discount. However, to be sure you receive the discounted toll rate, make sure your tag is mounted properly – most toll roads and bridges in New York are cashless. In such scenarios, vehicles simply drive under a tolling station and sensors scan the tag mounted to your windshield. If you are a frequent traveler, it is worth considering the automatic replenishment plan for your E-ZPass. You just need to link your E-ZPass to your credit card, debit card, or bank account, and you’re good to drive through every toll facility. Your account will be automatically topped up every time the balance gets too low. You can also pay per trip (you pay the tolls by linking your E-ZPass to your bank checking account) or pay with cash (you refill your E-ZPass with a reload card).

Tolls by mail NY

If you don’t have an E-ZPass, sensors will take a photo of your license plate. Then, a toll bill will be mailed to the registered owner’s address. The rate will be 30% above the NY E-ZPass toll rate. There is also a $2 administrative surcharge per billing statement. You can pay the bill by mail, on the phone or in person (you can use a credit card, a check, a bank account, or cash). You can also use the Pay Toll Now account. This service enables drivers to use their license plate and credit card to set up a short-term account. This works best when you rent a car while on vacation or business trip.

How can I pay for toll roads in New YOrk without an E-ZPass?

If you are driving in New York and do not have an E-ZPass on your vehicle, you have an option besides waiting for the bill to come in the mail.

If you are about to drive on a New York toll road or cross a tolled bridge, you can pay using a toll road billing app such as Uproad. With Uproad, you simply need to download the app to your smartphone and register your vehicle. Activation is usually completed within 24 hours. Uproad covers the cost of your tolls and offers violation protection, as well as the ability to drive on other toll roads around the country.

NY tolls