Alternative routes

Alternatives to the George Washington Bridge

The George Washington Bridge is often the best option for crossings between New Jersey and Upper Manhattan, but other crossings and transit options may be cheaper or faster depending on your destination. All Port Authority crossings charge similar tolls.

Crossing comparison by destination

Crossing	From Fort Lee	E-ZPass peak toll	Best for
George Washington Bridge	0 mi	$13.75 (peak)	Best for Upper Manhattan, Bronx, Long Island
Lincoln Tunnel	12 mi south	$17.00 (peak)	Best for Midtown Manhattan (34th-50th)
Holland Tunnel	25 mi south	$17.00 (peak)	Best for Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn

Lincoln Tunnel

$17.00 (E-ZPass peak)

Best for: Trips to 34th-42nd St area

Advantages

Direct access to Midtown. Good for destinations in central Manhattan.

Drawbacks

Often more congested than GWB. Toll is comparable or higher.

Holland Tunnel

$17.00 (E-ZPass peak)

Best for: Trips south of 14th Street in Manhattan

Advantages

Best access to Lower Manhattan, Tribeca, SoHo, and Brooklyn.

Drawbacks

Heavily congested. Only accessible from Lower NJ (via I-78).

Bayonne Bridge

$17.00 (E-ZPass peak)

Best for: Trips to Staten Island or lower Brooklyn

Advantages

Low congestion, no peak/off-peak premium difference vs GWB.

Drawbacks

Connects to Staten Island, not Manhattan. Requires additional travel.

Outerbridge Crossing

$17.00 (E-ZPass peak)

Best for: Trips between central NJ and Staten Island

Advantages

Connects southern NJ to Staten Island. Very low congestion.

Drawbacks

Far south routing, adds significant distance for most Manhattan trips.

NJ Transit / NYC Subway

Free (no toll)

Best for: Daily commuters to upper Manhattan or Washington Heights

Advantages

No toll. Avoids all congestion. George Washington Bridge Bus Station serves upper Manhattan.

Drawbacks

Less flexible, requires schedule planning.

NY Waterway Ferry

$9.00-$12.00 per trip

Best for: Commuters near Weehawken, Hoboken, or Jersey City

Advantages

No road congestion. Scenic. Cheaper than GWB for some commuters.

Drawbacks

Limited to ferry terminals, restricted schedule.

Bottom line

For most trips between northern New Jersey and Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge remains the fastest and most cost-effective option. The GWB E-ZPass off-peak rate of $11.75 is the lowest toll rate of any Port Authority crossing. If your destination is in Midtown or Lower Manhattan, and you are already in the area, Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel may eliminate city driving time.