George Washington Bridge Toll-by-Mail Rates & How It Works (2026)

Paying Your Toll-by-Mail Bill

Once you receive your Toll-by-Mail invoice, you have 30 days from the date of the bill to make payment. The invoice includes a unique toll ID number that you need for all payment methods. Here are your options for paying.

• Online: Visit the Port Authority toll payment portal, enter your toll ID or license plate, and pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
• Phone: Call the toll customer service line listed on your invoice. Have your toll ID and payment information ready. An automated system processes most payments, but live agents are available during business hours.
• Mail: Send a check or money order payable to the Port Authority of NY & NJ. Include the payment stub from your invoice. Allow 7 to 10 business days for mailed payments to be received and processed.

If you cross the bridge multiple times without E-ZPass, each crossing generates a separate Toll-by-Mail invoice. Some drivers receive multiple bills at once covering several recent crossings. Each must be paid individually or through a consolidated payment on the online portal.

Out-of-State Vehicles and Toll-by-Mail

The Port Authority tolling system can identify license plates from all 50 states and several Canadian provinces. If you drive through the GWB toll gantry with an out-of-state plate and no E-ZPass, the system reads your plate and sends a Toll-by-Mail bill to the address associated with your vehicle registration in your home state.

This works through agreements between DMV databases across states. However, delivery times may be longer for out-of-state bills since the address lookup crosses state database boundaries. Bills for out-of-state vehicles typically arrive within 14 to 21 days rather than the standard 7 to 14 days.

If you are visiting from out of state and plan to cross the GWB, it is strongly recommended to bring an E-ZPass transponder. E-ZPass is accepted from all 19 participating states, and it saves you both the Toll-by-Mail premium and the hassle of dealing with a mailed bill after your trip. Learn more about E-ZPass interoperability.

Rental Car Surcharges: The Hidden Cost

If you cross the George Washington Bridge in a rental car without your own E-ZPass transponder, you will likely pay significantly more than the $16.00 Toll-by-Mail rate. Most major rental car companies, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and National, offer electronic toll programs that automatically charge tolls to your rental agreement. The catch is the administrative fee.

Administrative surcharges from rental companies typically range from $15 to $25 per toll transaction. Some companies charge a flat daily tolling fee of $10 to $15 for each day you incur at least one toll, capped at a maximum per rental period. Either way, a single GWB crossing that would cost $13.75 with your own E-ZPass could cost $31 to $41 through a rental car tolling program.

The best way to avoid rental car toll surcharges is to bring your own E-ZPass transponder and use it in the rental vehicle. Most E-ZPass transponders are not permanently mounted and can be moved between cars. Simply place your personal E-ZPass on the dashboard of the rental and switch the rental company's toll program off (if possible). Verify with the rental company at pickup that their electronic toll system is disabled to avoid double charges.

Violations and Penalties for Unpaid Tolls

Failing to pay a Toll-by-Mail bill on time triggers a series of escalating consequences. The Port Authority takes unpaid tolls seriously, and the penalties can become substantial if you ignore your invoices.

• Late fee (after 30 days): An additional fee is added to the original toll amount. Late fees typically range from $10 to $50 depending on the number of unpaid violations.
• Second notice (60 days): A follow-up notice is sent with the accumulated toll plus late fees. Continued non-payment at this stage may trigger additional administrative penalties.
• Collections (90+ days): The unpaid toll is referred to a collections agency. This can affect your credit report and result in additional collection fees on top of the original toll and late charges.
• DMV registration hold: In New York and New Jersey, the Port Authority can request that the DMV place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. You will not be able to renew your registration until all outstanding tolls and fees are paid in full.
• License plate suspension: In extreme cases involving multiple unpaid violations, New York may suspend the license plate associated with the unpaid tolls.

If you receive a toll violation notice that you believe is incorrect, you can dispute it within the timeframe listed on the notice (typically 30 to 60 days). Provide documentation such as proof of E-ZPass enrollment or evidence that the plate was misread. The Port Authority reviews disputes and may dismiss charges where errors are confirmed.

Why E-ZPass Is a Better Choice

In nearly every scenario, E-ZPass is the smarter option compared to Toll-by-Mail. The savings are clear: $2.25 to $4.25 per crossing for passenger cars, and even larger savings for trucks and commercial vehicles. But the benefits extend beyond just the per-crossing rate.

• No billing delays: E-ZPass transactions post to your account within minutes. There are no paper bills to track, no invoices to misplace, and no payment deadlines to miss.
• Peak and off-peak flexibility: E-ZPass gives you access to the lower off-peak rate ($11.75 for cars). Toll-by-Mail charges the flat $16.00 rate regardless of when you cross.
• No violation risk: With E-ZPass, there is zero risk of late fees, collection actions, or DMV registration holds from missed toll payments.
• Rental car savings: Bringing your own E-ZPass to a rental car eliminates the $15 to $25 per-toll surcharge that rental companies charge.
• Works everywhere: Your E-ZPass transponder works on the GWB, all other Port Authority crossings, the NJ Turnpike, NY State Thruway, and toll facilities across 19 states.

For a daily commuter, switching from Toll-by-Mail to E-ZPass off-peak saves $2,210 per year. Even occasional users save enough in just a few crossings to justify the minimal effort of enrollment. See full E-ZPass rate details and sign-up options.

Explore More

• Current GWB toll rates for all vehicle types
• E-ZPass toll rates and how to sign up
• All GWB payment methods explained
• How to save money on GWB tolls