Driving into Manhattan below 60th Street now costs you real money, and if you have not checked the 2026 rates yet, you are probably in for a surprise. The base toll for a passenger vehicle using E-ZPass is $9 during peak hours, and knowing exactly what you owe before you hit the road can save you a lot of frustration at the end of the month.
Use the free toll calculator below to figure out your exact cost in seconds. Then keep reading for a full breakdown of how the whole system works.
NYC Congestion Pricing Calculator
2026 Program Rules:
- Peak hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends.
- Overnight: A 75% discount is applied during all other hours.
- Credits: Tunnel crossing credits are strictly for E-ZPass users entering during peak hours.
- Caps: Cars and motorcycles are capped at one charge per day. Trucks and buses are charged per entry.
- Rates are updated for the 2026 fiscal cycle. Review the MTA Congestion Pricing page for official updates.
What Exactly Is the NYC Congestion Pricing Zone?
New York City launched its congestion pricing program to reduce traffic in the most densely packed part of Manhattan. The idea is simple: charge drivers a toll for entering the busiest streets so fewer cars clog them up. Fewer cars means faster buses, cleaner air, and extra funding for the MTA.
The Congestion Relief Zone covers all of Manhattan south of and including 60th Street. Every vehicle entering this zone, whether through a tunnel, a bridge, or street level, gets charged automatically via license plate readers and E-ZPass readers. There is no toll booth. There is no stopping. It just happens.
If you want to read the official rules straight from the source, the MTA Congestion Pricing page is your best bet. They update it regularly, so bookmark it.
2026 NYC Congestion Toll Rates at a Glance
Here is the part everyone actually wants to know. The rates below reflect the 2026 fiscal cycle as documented by the MTA.
Passenger Vehicles and Motorcycles
| Vehicle Type | Peak (E-ZPass) | Peak (Tolls by Mail) | Off-Peak (E-ZPass) | Off-Peak (Tolls by Mail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle | $9.00 | $13.50 | $2.25 | $3.30 |
| Motorcycle | $4.50 | $6.75 | $1.05 | $1.65 |
Key rule: Cars and motorcycles are charged only once per day, no matter how many times you cross into the zone.
Trucks and Buses
| Vehicle Type | Peak (E-ZPass) | Peak (Tolls by Mail) | Off-Peak (E-ZPass) | Off-Peak (Tolls by Mail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Truck | $14.40 | $21.60 | $3.60 | $5.40 |
| Large Truck | $21.60 | $32.40 | $5.40 | $8.10 |
| Small Bus | $14.40 | $21.60 | $3.60 | $5.40 |
| Tour Bus / Sightseeing | $21.60 | $32.40 | $5.40 | $8.10 |
Key rule: Trucks and buses are charged per entry, not per day. If a delivery truck enters the zone four times, that is four separate charges.
Taxis and For-Hire Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Charge |
|---|---|
| Taxi / Black Car | $0.75 per trip |
| High-Volume FHV (Uber, Lyft) | $1.50 per trip |
These are flat surcharges applied around the clock, every day of the week. No peak or off-peak distinction here.
Peak Hours vs. Off-Peak Hours: When You Pay More
Timing your entry into Manhattan can make a meaningful difference in what you pay. The program divides the day into two windows.
Peak Hours (higher toll):
- Weekdays: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Weekends: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Off-Peak Hours (75% discount applied):
- All other hours outside the windows above
So if you are a passenger vehicle driver using E-ZPass, entering at 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday costs you just $2.25 instead of the full $9.00. That is a solid saving if your schedule gives you any flexibility. Early risers and night owls actually win this one. 🎉
Tunnel Crossing Credits: A Hidden Discount Worth Knowing
This is the part most drivers miss entirely. If you enter the Congestion Relief Zone through one of four specific tunnels using E-ZPass during peak hours, you receive a partial credit against your toll. The credit is applied because you already paid a toll to use that tunnel.
Here is how the credits break down:
Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel:
- Passenger Vehicle: $3.00 credit
- Motorcycle: $1.50 credit
- Small Truck / Small Bus: $7.20 credit
- Large Truck / Tour Bus: $12.00 credit
Queens-Midtown Tunnel or Hugh L. Carey Tunnel:
- Passenger Vehicle: $1.50 credit
- Motorcycle: $0.75 credit
- Small Truck / Small Bus: $3.60 credit
- Large Truck / Tour Bus: $6.00 credit
Two rules apply here without exception:
- Credits only work during peak hours.
- Credits only apply to E-ZPass users. Tolls by Mail customers get nothing.
So a passenger car driver entering via the Lincoln Tunnel with E-ZPass during peak hours pays $9.00 minus $3.00, which works out to just $6.00 total. That matters if you commute through that tunnel every weekday.
What Is the LIDP and Do You Qualify?
The Low-Income Discount Program (LIDP) is a relief option built specifically for drivers who qualify based on household income. If you are enrolled and you have already made more than 10 peak-hour trips in a given month, you receive a 50% discount on your peak toll.
For a passenger vehicle with E-ZPass, that brings your peak rate down to $4.50 after the threshold is crossed.
To qualify, you need to apply through the MTA. You can find eligibility requirements and the application on the MTA’s official Low-Income Discount Program page. The discount does not apply automatically, so do not assume you are covered without checking.
E-ZPass vs. Tolls by Mail: Why the Difference Is Huge
Let’s be honest. Paying by mail is expensive. Look back at those rate tables and you will notice that Tolls by Mail rates run about 50% higher than E-ZPass rates across every vehicle category.
If you drive into the Congestion Relief Zone even occasionally, getting an E-ZPass is one of the smartest moves you can make. New York E-ZPass is accepted across 19 states, so it is useful well beyond Manhattan.
You can sign up and manage your account at E-ZPass New York. It takes about 10 minutes and the tag typically arrives within a week or two.
Vehicles That Are Exempt from the Congestion Toll
Not every vehicle pays. The program includes a list of exemptions, and while it is shorter than many drivers hope, it is worth knowing.
Currently exempt vehicles include:
- Authorized emergency vehicles (police, fire, ambulance)
- Vehicles transporting people with disabilities who hold a qualifying permit
- Vehicles certified by the MTA as operating on excluded roadways
- Certain government and military vehicles
Vehicles that travel exclusively on excluded roadways (like the FDR Drive and the West Side Highway north of 60th Street) are also not charged, since those roads run along the edge of the zone without entering the toll boundary.
For the full and current exemption list, check the Federal Highway Administration’s congestion pricing resources for policy context, and always verify directly with the MTA for New York-specific rules.
How the Daily Cap Works (And Why It Matters for Passenger Cars)
Here is something that genuinely makes the program fairer for regular commuters. Passenger vehicles and motorcycles are capped at one charge per day. It does not matter how many times you circle in and out of the zone. You pay once, and that is it for the day.
Trucks and buses do not get this cap. Every entry counts as a separate charge. So a food delivery truck making six stops inside the zone during peak hours racks up six separate tolls. That adds up fast, and it is one reason logistics companies in New York City have been recalculating their routes since the program launched.
Practical Tips to Lower Your Congestion Toll
You cannot avoid the zone if your destination is below 60th Street. But you can absolutely reduce what you pay.
Tips to save on your NYC congestion toll:
- Get E-ZPass. The savings compared to Tolls by Mail are immediate and significant.
- Travel off-peak when possible. Entering after 9:00 p.m. on a weekday cuts your toll by 75%.
- Use a tunnel that qualifies for a crossing credit. The Lincoln or Holland Tunnel reduces your effective toll if you already pay to cross them.
- Apply for the LIDP if you qualify. The 50% peak-hour discount adds up fast over a full month of commuting.
- Combine errands. Since passenger cars pay once per day regardless, plan multiple stops in the zone during a single trip rather than making multiple separate entries on different days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the toll apply every time I enter Manhattan?
Only if you enter below 60th Street. Driving into upper Manhattan or using the excluded roadways along the waterfront does not trigger a charge.
What happens if I do not pay?
Unpaid tolls generate a Tolls by Mail invoice sent to the registered vehicle owner. Repeated non-payment leads to violations, fees, and eventually license plate suspension. The NYC Department of Finance handles enforcement.
Can I dispute a charge?
Yes. E-ZPass NY has a dispute process accessible through your online account. Tolls by Mail invoices include dispute instructions on the notice itself.
Is the congestion toll tax deductible?
It depends on your situation. Business-related toll expenses may be deductible. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.
Do electric vehicles get a discount?
As of the 2026 update, there is no blanket EV discount within the congestion pricing program. Vehicle type and payment method determine your rate.
Is This Toll Program Actually Working?
Early data from the program’s launch suggests it is doing what it set out to do. Traffic volume in the Congestion Relief Zone dropped noticeably during peak periods after the tolls went live. Bus speeds improved. Subway funding received a meaningful boost from toll revenues.
Whether you love or hate the concept, the numbers show the mechanics are functioning. For a deeper look at congestion pricing research and outcomes from similar programs globally, the Victoria Transport Policy Institute publishes thorough and well-sourced analyses.
So, Ready to Calculate Your Cost?
Scroll back up and plug your details into the calculator at the top of this page. Select your vehicle type, your payment method, and your entry time, and it will handle the math instantly, including tunnel credits, off-peak discounts, and LIDP savings if they apply to you.
The bottom line is this: knowing your toll before you drive saves money and removes surprises. Whether you commute daily, make occasional deliveries, or just drive into the city a few times a year, understanding the 2026 congestion pricing rules puts you in control. Now you know exactly what you are dealing with, so go plan that trip.
Pavithra Vinoth is the founder of nytollsinfo.com, where she simplifies U.S. toll systems through expert insights and custom-built calculators. Her research-driven tools help drivers avoid costly mistakes and make smarter car decisions.