New York has three main ways to pay tolls: E-ZPass, cash at toll booths, and Pay-by-Mail for tolls you miss

E-ZPass is an electronic tag you mount on your windshield that charges your account automatically as you drive through tolled roads and bridges. It works on most highways in New York and at crossings like the George Washington Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Lincoln Tunnel. Cash payment is still available at some toll booths, though the number of staffed booths has shrunk. Pay-by-Mail is what happens if you don't have E-ZPass or cash — a bill arrives at your registered address weeks later, with a higher toll rate and a processing fee.

The toll amount depends on which crossing you use, what type of vehicle you drive, and whether you have E-ZPass. E-ZPass rates are always lower than cash rates. If you cross tolled roads regularly, E-ZPass saves money and time. If you cross rarely, you may find cash or Pay-by-Mail acceptable, though Pay-by-Mail costs more per crossing.

Key Takeaways

  • E-ZPass is a windshield tag that deducts tolls automatically from a prepaid account and offers the lowest toll rates.
  • Cash payment is available at some toll booths but costs more per crossing than E-ZPass and requires exact change or bills at many locations.
  • Pay-by-Mail bills you after you cross if you have no E-ZPass or cash, and charges a higher toll rate plus a processing fee.
  • E-ZPass accounts can be opened online through the E-ZPass Customer Service Center or by mail, and take one to two weeks to set up.
  • Toll rates vary by crossing and vehicle type; check the specific bridge or highway before you cross to know the exact amount.

Getting an E-ZPass account

To open an E-ZPass account, go to the E-ZPass Customer Service Center website (e-zpassny.com) or call 511 from any phone in New York. You can also visit a service center in person — locations include the Battery Park City office in Manhattan and centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. You will need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account).

When you set up your account online, you choose how much money to prepay into it — the minimum is usually $25 to $100 depending on the account type. You then order the transponder tag, which arrives by mail in one to two weeks. Once it arrives, you mount it on your windshield inside your vehicle, register it to your license plate, and set up it through your online account. The tag is then ready to use at any tolled crossing in New York and at many crossings in neighboring states.

If your account runs low, you can set up automatic replenishment so money is added to your account when the balance drops below a certain amount. This prevents your tag from being declined at a toll plaza.

Paying with cash at toll booths

Cash booths still exist at some New York crossings, but they are becoming less common. The George Washington Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and some other major crossings have reduced the number of staffed lanes. At booths that do accept cash, you pull into the lane, hand your money to the toll collector, and receive change if needed.

Toll rates for cash payment are higher than E-ZPass rates — sometimes by $2 to $3 per crossing. You will need exact change or bills; some booths no longer accept coins. If you plan to use cash regularly, ask at the toll booth what denominations they accept, or check the crossing's website before you go.

Many New York crossings have moved to all-electronic tolling, meaning there are no cash booths at all. Before you drive, check whether your crossing still accepts cash. If it does not and you have no E-ZPass, you will receive a Pay-by-Mail bill.

Understanding Pay-by-Mail bills

If you cross a tolled road or bridge without E-ZPass and without paying cash, a bill arrives at the address registered to your vehicle's license plate. The bill includes the toll amount, a processing fee (usually $2 to $5), and instructions for payment. You have a set number of days to pay — typically 30 days from the bill date.

The toll rate for Pay-by-Mail is higher than the E-ZPass rate and sometimes higher than the cash rate. For example, a crossing that costs $6.50 with E-ZPass might cost $10.50 or more by Pay-by-Mail. The processing fee is added on top of that. If you do not pay within the important date, late fees and penalties accumulate, and the debt can eventually be referred to a collection agency.

Pay-by-Mail bills can be paid online through the E-ZPass website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a service center. If you receive a Pay-by-Mail bill and plan to cross tolled roads again, opening an E-ZPass account will prevent future bills and save money on each crossing.

Toll rates and vehicle types

Toll amounts vary by crossing and by vehicle class. Most tolls are charged based on the number of axles your vehicle has — a standard car is one rate, a truck with more axles is a higher rate. Some crossings also charge different rates depending on the time of day, with higher rates during rush hours and lower rates during off-peak times.

E-ZPass rates are always lower than cash or Pay-by-Mail rates at the same crossing. Discounts may also be available for frequent users, residents of certain areas, or vehicles with specific characteristics (like low-income drivers or people with disabilities). Check the website for the specific crossing you plan to use, or call 511, to find the exact toll for your vehicle type and payment method.

Crossings that use tolls in New York

Major tolled crossings in New York include the George Washington Bridge (connecting Manhattan and New Jersey), the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island), the Lincoln Tunnel (connecting Manhattan and New Jersey), the Holland Tunnel (connecting Manhattan and New Jersey), the Whitestone Bridge (connecting Queens and the Bronx), the Triborough Bridge (connecting Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx), and the Throgs Neck Bridge (connecting Queens and the Bronx).

Tolled highways include the New York State Thruway (I-87 and I-90) and parts of the Northway (I-87 north of Albany). Each crossing and highway has its own toll rate. If you are unsure whether a specific road charges a toll, check the New York State Thruway Authority website or call 511 before you drive.

What to do if you received a Pay-by-Mail bill you think is wrong

If you believe a Pay-by-Mail bill is incorrect — for example, you think you paid cash or your vehicle was not on the road that day — you can dispute it. Contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center by phone at 511 or through the website. You will need to provide your license plate number, the bill date, and an explanation of why you believe the charge is wrong.

Keep any receipts or records that show you paid cash at a toll booth, or evidence that your vehicle was not in use that day. The dispute process can take several weeks. While your dispute is being reviewed, you may still be required to pay the bill to avoid late fees, though some agencies will hold collection action during the review period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my E-ZPass from another state in New York?

Yes. E-ZPass tags from other states work at New York tolled crossings. Your account will be charged the E-ZPass rate for New York. If your home state's E-ZPass account is low on funds, you may be sent a bill by Pay-by-Mail if the toll cannot be deducted.

What happens if I lose my E-ZPass tag?

Contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center when ready to report it lost. They will deactivate the old tag and send you a replacement, usually within one to two weeks. You may be charged a replacement fee. Until the new tag arrives, tolls will be charged as Pay-by-Mail.

Do I have to pay tolls if I have a disability?

Some New York crossings offer discounts or exemptions for people with disabilities, but the rules vary by crossing. Contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center or the specific crossing's authority to ask about discounts for your situation. You will need to provide documentation of your disability.

Can I get a refund if I overpaid my E-ZPass account?

Yes. If your account has a balance remaining when you close it or request a refund, you can ask for the money back through the E-ZPass website or by calling 511. Refunds are typically processed within two to four weeks.

What if my E-ZPass tag does not work at a toll booth?

Pull into a cash lane if one is available and pay cash, or you will receive a Pay-by-Mail bill. After you cross, contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center to report the problem. They can check whether your tag was read and help troubleshoot the issue. If the tag is faulty, they will send a replacement.