George Washington Bridge & NYC Congestion Pricing: What You Need to Know (2026)

What Is NYC Congestion Pricing?

New York City congestion pricing is a tolling program that charges vehicles entering Manhattan's Central Business District (CBD), the area south of 60th Street. Launched on January 5, 2025, it was the first congestion pricing program in the United States, modeled after successful systems in London, Stockholm, and Singapore.

The program is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Revenue from congestion pricing funds public transit improvements, including subway upgrades, bus service expansion, and commuter rail enhancements. The MTA estimates the program will generate approximately $1 billion annually in bonding capacity for its capital plan.

Congestion pricing uses a network of E-ZPass readers and license plate cameras at every entry point to the zone. Vehicles are charged once per day, meaning you can enter and exit the zone multiple times within a single day without paying additional tolls. The charge is applied the first time you enter during a given toll period.

Does Congestion Pricing Change GWB Tolls?

No. The George Washington Bridge toll is set by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and is completely separate from the MTA congestion pricing toll. The GWB toll remains $13.75 with E-ZPass during peak hours, $11.75 with E-ZPass during off-peak hours, and $16.00 for Toll-by-Mail. These rates are unchanged by the congestion pricing program.

However, GWB drivers who continue south of 60th Street in Manhattan do pay both tolls: the GWB bridge toll and the congestion pricing zone toll. This can result in a combined cost of $19.56 or more for a single eastbound trip during peak hours (before factoring in the GWB credit discussed below).

The GWB Credit Toward Congestion Pricing

To partially offset the double toll burden on drivers who already pay to cross the Hudson River, the MTA provides a credit toward the congestion pricing toll for vehicles that cross Port Authority bridges and tunnels, including the George Washington Bridge.

For E-ZPass cars during peak hours, the credit is approximately $3.19. This reduces the effective congestion toll from $9.00 to $5.81. During off-peak hours, the credit can cover the entire congestion toll, meaning GWB drivers who enter the zone during off-peak periods may pay little or no additional congestion charge beyond their bridge toll.

The credit is applied automatically for E-ZPass users. Toll-by-Mail drivers also receive a credit, but the process may take longer because it relies on matching license plate images across two separate tolling systems.

Congestion Pricing Rate Schedule

The following rates apply to vehicles entering the Manhattan CBD south of 60th Street. These are in addition to any bridge or tunnel toll you pay to cross the Hudson River.

Impact on GWB Commuters: Who Pays What

The impact of congestion pricing on GWB drivers depends entirely on where you are going in New York City. If you stay in upper Manhattan, the Bronx, or any area north of 60th Street, congestion pricing has no effect on you. You pay only the standard GWB bridge toll.

If your destination is in Midtown, the Financial District, or anywhere in Manhattan south of 60th Street, you will pay both the GWB toll and the congestion pricing toll (minus the GWB credit). Here is what each scenario looks like for a passenger car with E-ZPass:

Annual Cost Impact for Daily Commuters

For a GWB commuter who drives to Midtown Manhattan five days a week during peak hours, the congestion pricing toll adds approximately $5.81 per trip (after the GWB credit) to the existing bridge toll. Over a year (260 working days), that is an additional $1,511 in congestion pricing charges on top of the $7,150 annual GWB toll (E-ZPass peak rate, 10 crossings per week).

Combined, a daily peak-hour commuter crossing the GWB and entering the congestion zone pays approximately $8,661 per year in toll charges alone, not including fuel, parking, or vehicle costs. This makes the financial case for public transit even stronger for Midtown-bound commuters. Use our toll calculator to model your costs.

New Jersey Political Response and Legal Challenges

New Jersey political leaders have been vocal opponents of the congestion pricing program since its inception. Their core argument is that New Jersey commuters already pay substantial tolls to cross the Hudson River, and adding a congestion charge on top creates an unfair double toll burden.

The State of New Jersey filed legal challenges in federal court seeking to block the program or require a larger credit for drivers who cross Port Authority facilities. Governor Murphy and the NJ Legislature argued that the environmental review process was inadequate and that the program disproportionately impacts New Jersey residents who have no alternative to driving into Manhattan.

As of early 2026, these legal challenges are ongoing. The program continues to operate while litigation proceeds. New Jersey has also pushed for administrative changes, including higher credits for Port Authority crossings and exemptions for certain categories of commuters. The outcome of these efforts could change the GWB credit amount or other program parameters.

How to Minimize Your Combined Toll Costs

If you cross the GWB and enter the congestion pricing zone, here are strategies to reduce your total toll burden:

• Get E-ZPass: You save on both the GWB toll and the congestion toll. Without E-ZPass, the congestion toll is 50% higher ($13.50 vs $9.00 for cars).
• Travel off-peak: The congestion toll drops to $2.25 during off-peak hours (after 9 PM weekdays, all day weekends), and your GWB toll also drops by $2.00.
• Take transit part of the week: Even replacing two driving days with NJ Transit bus saves over $200 per month in combined tolls.
• Park above 60th Street: If you can park in upper Manhattan and take the subway south, you avoid the congestion toll entirely.
• Carpool: While carpooling does not reduce the congestion toll, it locks in the off-peak GWB rate through the Green Pass program.

Read our complete guide to saving money on GWB tolls for more detailed strategies.

Latest Updates (March 2026)

The congestion pricing program has been operating for over a year. Early data from the MTA shows reduced traffic volumes in the CBD during peak hours and increased transit ridership. The GWB credit amount has remained stable since launch, though New Jersey continues to push for a larger credit through both legal and political channels.

The MTA has not announced any rate changes for 2026. However, the enabling legislation gives the MTA board authority to adjust rates based on traffic data and revenue targets. Any changes would require public notice and a board vote.

Explore More

• Current GWB toll rates
• Calculate your total annual commute cost
• How to save money on GWB tolls
• Alternative Hudson River crossings
• Complete GWB commuter guide