GWB Peak vs Off-Peak Toll Rates & Schedule (2026)
Save $2.00 per crossing by traveling during off-peak hours. Up to $1,040/year for daily commuters.
Peak: Weekdays 6-10 AM & 4-8 PM | Off-peak: All other times including weekends
Passenger car E-ZPass rates. Toll-by-Mail is $16.00 at all times (no peak/off-peak distinction).
Complete Peak and Off-Peak Schedule
Peak vs Off-Peak Rates by Vehicle Type
E-ZPass rates for all vehicle classes. The "difference" column shows how much you save per crossing by traveling off-peak.
| Vehicle Type | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Difference | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car (2 axle) | $13.75 | $11.75 | $2.00 | $16.00 |
| Carpool (3+ occupants, Green Pass) | $11.75 | $11.75 | $0.00 | $16.00 |
| Motorcycle | $11.75 | $11.75 | $0.00 | $16.00 |
| Small truck (2 axle, dual rear) | $19.50 | $16.50 | $3.00 | $21.00 |
| Large truck (3 axle) | $29.25 | $24.75 | $4.50 | $35.00 |
| Truck (4 axle) | $39.00 | $33.00 | $6.00 | $42.00 |
| Truck (5 axle) | $48.75 | $41.25 | $7.50 | $49.00 |
| Truck (6+ axle) | $58.50 | $49.50 | $9.00 | $56.00 |
| Bus (2 axle) | $19.50 | $16.50 | $3.00 | $21.00 |
Green Pass carpool vehicles and motorcycles already receive the off-peak rate at all times. Toll-by-Mail does not vary by time of day.
How Peak Toll Pricing Works on the GWB
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey introduced time-of-day toll pricing to help manage traffic congestion on its bridges and tunnels. The concept is straightforward: by charging a higher toll during the busiest travel times and a lower toll during less congested periods, the Port Authority incentivizes drivers to shift their travel to off-peak hours when capacity is available.
Peak pricing applies exclusively to E-ZPass users because the system requires real-time electronic identification to determine the time of crossing. Toll-by-Mail relies on cameras and plate matching, and the billing system does not apply time-of-day pricing. As a result, Toll-by-Mail drivers pay a flat rate of $16.00 for passenger cars at all hours.
The peak and off-peak distinction is determined by the timestamp when your vehicle passes through the toll gantry. The E-ZPass reader records the exact time to the second. If you pass through at 5:59 AM, you are charged the off-peak rate. At 6:00 AM, the peak rate applies. Similarly, the transition happens at exactly 10:00 AM (peak to off-peak) and 4:00 PM (off-peak to peak).
On weekends and designated holidays, the off-peak rate applies 24 hours a day. There is no peak pricing at any time on Saturdays, Sundays, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. This makes weekends an especially affordable time to cross for occasional drivers and recreational travelers.
When to Cross to Save the Most Money
If your schedule offers any flexibility, choosing the right time to cross the George Washington Bridge can make a meaningful difference in your annual toll costs. Here are the best strategies for each type of driver.
Morning Commuters
The morning peak window runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays. If you can cross before 6:00 AM, you pay the off-peak rate of $11.75 instead of $13.75. Crossing at 5:45 AM instead of 6:15 AM saves $2.00 per trip. Over 260 working days, that is $520 in savings. Traffic is also significantly lighter before 6:00 AM, so you save time along with money.
Afternoon and Evening Commuters
The afternoon peak window runs from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays. Tolls are eastbound only, so the peak pricing primarily affects drivers returning to New York from New Jersey in the late afternoon. If your return trip can wait until after 8:00 PM, you save $2.00 each time. Alternatively, leaving before 4:00 PM (if heading eastbound) captures the off-peak rate.
Midday Travelers
The window between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays is off-peak. This is the best time for non-rush-hour travelers, including those running errands, making deliveries, or traveling for appointments. Both the toll rate and traffic congestion are lower during these hours.
Weekend Drivers
All weekend hours are off-peak. Whether you cross at 8:00 AM Saturday or 11:00 PM Sunday, the E-ZPass rate is $11.75 for passenger cars. Weekend traffic on the GWB can still be heavy (especially on summer Fridays and holiday weekends), but at least the toll is at its lowest.
Annual Savings by Shifting to Off-Peak
The table below shows how much you can save per year by shifting some or all of your GWB crossings from peak to off-peak hours. These figures assume a passenger car with E-ZPass and 52 weeks of travel.
| Scenario | Weekly Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Switch 5 peak crossings/week to off-peak | $10.00 | $520 |
| Switch 10 peak crossings/week to off-peak | $20.00 | $1,040 |
| Switch 3 peak crossings/week to off-peak | $6.00 | $312 |
| Green Pass carpool (peak to off-peak rate) | $20.00 | $1,040 |
| Shift 2 peak days + E-ZPass (from Toll-by-Mail) | $24.50 | $1,274 |
Savings based on the $2.00 per-crossing difference between E-ZPass peak ($13.75) and off-peak ($11.75) for passenger cars. Calculate your custom savings.
GWB Traffic Patterns by Time of Day
Understanding when traffic is heaviest helps you plan crossings that save both time and money.
| Time | Direction | Congestion | Toll Rate | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM | Eastbound (into NYC) | Light | Off-Peak | Best time for early commuters |
| 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Eastbound | Moderate | Peak | Congestion building |
| 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Eastbound | Heavy | Peak | Worst eastbound congestion |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Eastbound | Moderate | Peak | Congestion easing |
| 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Both | Light to moderate | Off-Peak | Best midday window |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Westbound (into NJ) | Moderate | Off-Peak | Last off-peak hour before rush |
| 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Westbound | Heavy | Peak | Worst westbound congestion |
| 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Westbound | Moderate | Peak | Congestion easing |
| 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Both | Light | Off-Peak | Low traffic, off-peak rate |
| 12:00 AM - 5:00 AM | Both | Very light | Off-Peak | Lowest traffic of the day |
Congestion levels are approximate and vary by season, weather, and special events. Toll rates apply to eastbound crossings only (tolls are one-way).
Why the Port Authority Uses Peak Pricing
The George Washington Bridge carries approximately 284,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the busiest motor vehicle bridges in the world. During peak commuting hours, traffic volume can exceed the bridge's practical capacity, leading to severe congestion, long delays, and reduced travel reliability.
Peak toll pricing is a demand management tool. By making the busiest hours more expensive, the Port Authority encourages a portion of drivers to shift their travel to less congested periods. This approach, known as congestion pricing or value pricing, has been adopted by transportation agencies worldwide. Research consistently shows that even a small percentage of traffic shifting to off-peak hours can significantly reduce congestion and improve travel times for everyone.
For the GWB specifically, the $2.00 peak premium is relatively modest compared to the full cost of driving, but it provides a measurable financial incentive. A daily commuter who shifts to off-peak hours saves over $1,000 per year. The Port Authority has found that peak pricing, combined with the broader E-ZPass discount structure, has helped distribute traffic more evenly across the day.
Toll-by-Mail and Peak Pricing: No Benefit
It is worth emphasizing that Toll-by-Mail users receive no benefit from peak vs off-peak pricing. The $16.00 Toll-by-Mail rate for passenger cars applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of when you cross. This means a Toll-by-Mail driver crossing at 3:00 AM on a Sunday pays the same $16.00 as one crossing at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday.
This flat pricing structure exists because Toll-by-Mail relies on license plate cameras and after-the-fact billing, rather than real-time electronic communication with a transponder. The system captures a timestamp, but the billing does not differentiate by time of day.
For drivers who cross the GWB regularly, this is another strong reason to get E-ZPass. Not only do you save on every crossing, but you also unlock the ability to save further by choosing off-peak travel times. The combination of E-ZPass plus off-peak travel gives you the lowest possible toll: $11.75 for passenger cars, compared to $16.00 for Toll-by-Mail. That is a savings of $4.25 per crossing, or $2,210 per year for a daily commuter. Learn how to get E-ZPass.
Combining Peak Savings with Other Discounts
The off-peak discount can be stacked with the Green Pass carpool program for maximum savings. Green Pass vehicles with three or more occupants automatically receive the off-peak rate of $11.75 at all times, including during peak hours. This means a carpool that would otherwise pay $13.75 during morning rush saves $2.00 per crossing without needing to change travel times.
For a carpool making 10 eastbound crossings per week, the Green Pass saves $1,040 per year compared to the standard E-ZPass peak rate, and $2,210 per year compared to Toll-by-Mail. Combined with fuel and parking cost sharing among passengers, carpooling across the GWB offers the best overall value for commuters. Read our complete guide to saving money on GWB tolls.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the peak hours for George Washington Bridge tolls?
Peak toll hours on the George Washington Bridge are weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During these hours, E-ZPass passenger cars pay $13.75 per eastbound crossing. All other times are off-peak, when the E-ZPass rate drops to $11.75.
How much cheaper is the GWB toll during off-peak hours?
The off-peak E-ZPass toll for a passenger car is $11.75, which is $2.00 less than the peak rate of $13.75. For larger vehicles, the savings are greater: a 5-axle truck saves $7.50 per crossing by traveling off-peak. The Toll-by-Mail rate ($16.00 for cars) does not change based on time of day.
Are weekends peak or off-peak on the GWB?
Weekends are entirely off-peak on the George Washington Bridge. All day Saturday and all day Sunday, the lower off-peak E-ZPass rates apply. This means a passenger car pays $11.75 regardless of the time of day on weekends.
How much can I save per year by switching to off-peak hours?
A daily commuter with E-ZPass making 10 eastbound crossings per week saves $1,040 per year by shifting all crossings from peak to off-peak hours ($20.00 per week x 52 weeks). Even shifting half of your crossings to off-peak saves approximately $520 per year.
Does the Toll-by-Mail rate change for peak vs off-peak?
No. The Toll-by-Mail rate is a flat $16.00 for passenger cars at all times of day, whether peak or off-peak. The peak/off-peak discount is an exclusive benefit of E-ZPass. This means Toll-by-Mail drivers pay the same rate at 3:00 AM as they do at 8:00 AM.
Are holidays peak or off-peak for GWB tolls?
Major holidays are treated as off-peak, even if they fall on a weekday. This includes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The lower E-ZPass off-peak rate applies all day on these holidays.