How tolls work on New York roads and bridges

New York tolls are charges you pay to use certain highways, bridges, and tunnels. The state collects these tolls through the Thruway Authority (which runs the New York State Thruway), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or MTA (which runs bridges and tunnels around New York City), and a few local authorities. You do not have to stop at a booth anymore — most tolls are collected electronically as you drive through.

The amount you pay depends on which road you use, your vehicle type, and whether you have a toll tag or pay as you go. A car on the Thruway between Buffalo and the city might cost $15 to $20 one way. A bridge crossing in the city runs $6.50 to $17 depending on the crossing and time of day. Trucks and commercial vehicles pay more.

You have three main ways to pay: a toll tag (a small device mounted on your windshield that charges your account automatically), a toll-by-mail invoice sent to your address, or paying in person at a toll booth if one is still staffed. Most drivers use a toll tag because it is the fastest and often the cheapest option.

Key Takeaways

  • New York tolls are collected electronically on most roads, and you can pay with a toll tag, toll-by-mail, or at a staffed booth.
  • A toll tag mounted on your windshield charges your account automatically and usually costs less per crossing than paying without one.
  • If you do not have a toll tag, the state photographs your license plate and sends you a bill by mail.
  • The Thruway Authority runs the state highway system, while the MTA runs most New York City bridges and tunnels.
  • Toll rates vary by vehicle type, time of day (in the city), and direction of travel, so check the specific road before you drive.

Getting a toll tag for automatic payment

A toll tag is the fastest way to pay tolls in New York. The most common tag is the E-ZPass, which works on the Thruway and most MTA bridges and tunnels. You mount it on your windshield, and it communicates with toll readers as you drive through. Your account is charged automatically, and you receive a monthly bill.

To get an E-ZPass, visit the E-ZPass website or call 1-800-333-8655. You can also visit a service center in person. You will need a valid driver's license, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). The tag itself is free, but you must set up a prepaid account with a minimum balance — usually $25 to $100 depending on your vehicle type. The account balance is drawn down as you use tolls, and you can set up automatic replenishment so your account refills when it drops below a certain amount.

E-ZPass discounts vary by road. On the Thruway, you typically pay a lower per-mile rate than drivers without a tag. On MTA bridges and tunnels, the discount is usually $1 to $2 per crossing. Some roads offer off-peak discounts if you cross during certain hours. Check the specific road's website to see what discount applies.

If you drive in multiple states, E-ZPass works in 17 states from Maine to North Carolina, so one tag covers most of the Northeast. If you travel to other toll roads outside the E-ZPass network, you may need a separate tag for that state.

Paying tolls without a tag: toll-by-mail and booth payment

If you do not have a toll tag, the toll plaza camera photographs your license plate as you drive through. The state looks up your vehicle registration and mails you an invoice. This is called toll-by-mail. You have a set number of days (usually 7 to 14) to pay the invoice online, by phone, or by mail. If you do not pay, the state can issue a violation notice and add penalties.

Toll-by-mail is slower and more expensive than using a tag. You pay a higher per-crossing rate, and you also pay a processing fee — usually $2.50 to $5 per transaction. If you cross the same toll plaza regularly, these fees add up quickly. For example, a daily commute across an MTA bridge could cost an extra $500 to $1,000 per year compared to using an E-ZPass tag.

A few toll plazas still have staffed booths where you can hand cash or a card to an attendant. These are becoming rare, and the state is phasing them out. If a booth is open, you can pay cash, credit card, or debit card. Ask the attendant which payment methods they accept. Paying at a booth does not give you the E-ZPass discount, so you pay the full toll-by-mail rate.

Tolls on the New York State Thruway

The Thruway is the main north-south highway running from the Pennsylvania border near Buffalo to the Bronx. It is 496 miles long and crosses the entire state. Tolls are charged based on distance traveled, not per plaza. You enter at one point and exit at another, and your toll is calculated by the distance between those two points.

With an E-ZPass tag, you pay a per-mile rate that is lower than the cash rate. Without a tag, you pay toll-by-mail at the higher rate. For example, a 100-mile trip might cost $12 with E-ZPass and $16 without. Trucks and commercial vehicles pay significantly more — sometimes double or triple the car rate.

You can pay Thruway tolls online at the Thruway Authority website, by phone at 1-800-THRUWAY, or through the E-ZPass customer service line. If you received a toll-by-mail invoice, follow the instructions on the bill. You can also set up an account without a physical tag — called a video account — where the state photographs your plate and charges your account directly. This is less common than E-ZPass but available if you prefer not to mount a tag on your windshield.

Tolls on New York City bridges and tunnels

The MTA operates most of the major bridges and tunnels in and around New York City: the George Washington Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Queensboro Bridge, Triborough Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the Queens Midtown Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel. Tolls are charged per crossing, not by distance.

MTA toll rates depend on your vehicle type and the time of day. A standard car crossing during off-peak hours (typically 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends) costs $6.50 with E-ZPass. Peak-hour rates are higher — $8.50 to $17 depending on the crossing. Motorcycles, trucks, and buses have different rates. Some crossings, like the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, charge tolls only in one direction (heading into Brooklyn), so you pay once per round trip.

You can pay MTA tolls with E-ZPass, toll-by-mail, or at a staffed booth. To set up an E-ZPass account for MTA tolls, visit the E-ZPass website or call 1-800-333-8655. The same tag works for both Thruway and MTA tolls. If you do not have a tag, the MTA will send you a toll-by-mail invoice within two weeks of crossing.

Managing your toll account and checking your balance

Once you have an E-ZPass account, you can check your balance and transaction history online through the E-ZPass website or mobile app. Log in with your account number and password. You will see each toll crossing, the amount charged, the date, and your current balance. This is useful if you want to track your spending or dispute a charge.

Set up automatic replenishment so your account never runs low. You can choose a replenishment amount (usually $25 to $100) and a trigger balance (the amount at which the account automatically refills). For example, you might set it to replenish $50 when your balance drops below $10. This prevents your account from going negative and incurring penalties.

If you dispute a toll charge — for example, if you think you were charged twice for one crossing — contact E-ZPass customer service. They can review the transaction and issue a refund if there was an error. Keep your receipts and transaction history in case you need to provide evidence.

If you move or change your payment method, update your account information online or by calling customer service. If you sell your vehicle, remove the E-ZPass tag and contact customer service to close or transfer the account. If you leave the tag on a vehicle you no longer own, tolls will continue to be charged to your account.

What happens if you do not pay a toll

If you do not pay a toll-by-mail invoice within the grace period, the state issues a violation notice. This is different from a toll bill — it includes penalties and late fees. The violation notice can add $100 or more to your original toll charge. If you ignore the violation notice, the state can suspend your vehicle registration or driver's license.

If your E-ZPass account balance goes negative, you will receive a notice to replenish it. If you do not replenish within a set time, your account can be suspended and referred to a collection agency. This can affect your credit score.

If you received a toll-by-mail invoice by mistake — for example, because your license plate was misread — you can dispute it. Contact the toll authority listed on the invoice and provide evidence that you were not the driver or that the charge is incorrect. Include photos or documentation if you have it. The dispute process usually takes a few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same E-ZPass tag in other states?

Yes. E-ZPass works in 17 states from Maine to North Carolina, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. One tag covers all of them. If you drive on toll roads outside the E-ZPass network — like in Florida or Texas — you will need a separate tag for that state.

What if I lose my E-ZPass tag?

Contact E-ZPass customer service when ready at 1-800-333-8655. They can deactivate the lost tag so it cannot be used fraudulently. You can request a replacement tag, which usually arrives within 5 to 10 business days. There may be a small replacement fee.

Do I have to pay tolls if I am a New York resident?

No. All drivers pay tolls on New York roads and bridges, regardless of where they live. There are no resident discounts or exemptions, except for certain government vehicles and emergency vehicles.

Can I pay tolls with a credit card at a booth?

Yes, most staffed toll booths accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash. However, booths are becoming rare, and most tolls are now collected electronically. If you want to pay by card, set up an E-ZPass account or a video account instead.

How long does it take to receive a toll-by-mail invoice?

Most toll-by-mail invoices arrive within 2 to 3 weeks of crossing the toll plaza. You typically have 7 to 14 days from the invoice date to pay before penalties explore. Check the specific invoice for the exact due date.