Drove through New Jersey without an E-ZPass? You are not alone. New Jersey has gone almost entirely cashless on its toll roads, and if you skipped the transponder, a bill is already on its way to your mailbox. Here is exactly what to do about it.
- What Changed in 2026
- How the Billing System Works
- How Much More Will You Pay Without E-ZPass?
- How to Pay Your Invoice
- Got a Slip at the Booth Instead of a Bill?
- What Happens If You Ignore the Bill
- Third-Party Apps That Can Help
- Driving a Rental Car in NJ?
- What the Law Says About Excessive Toll Fees
- What Is Coming Next
- Is It Finally Time to Get E-ZPass?
- Pay It, or Pay More Later
What Changed in 2026
New Jersey’s toll network shifted dramatically at the start of 2026. Understanding which roads changed helps you know what to expect.
The biggest change was the Atlantic City Expressway going fully cashless on January 4, 2026. The South Jersey Transportation Authority removed all traditional toll plazas and installed 11 overhead camera gantries. No cash. No booths. Just cameras photographing every plate.
The New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway still accept cash at most major barriers in 2026. However, certain high-traffic interchanges like Exit 19W near American Dream Mall are now E-ZPass only.
Here is a quick summary of where things stand:
| Road | Cash Accepted? | Non-E-ZPass Option |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Expressway | No | Toll-by-Plate invoice |
| NJ Turnpike | At most barriers | Cash lanes or Tolls by Mail |
| Garden State Parkway | At most barriers | Cash lanes or Tolls by Mail |
| GWB / Lincoln / Holland Tunnels | No | Tolls by Mail |
| Delaware River Bridges (DRJTBC) | No | Toll-by-Plate invoice |
How the Billing System Works
If you drove through a cashless zone, the system already has your plate on file. Here is the process from start to finish.
Overhead cameras photograph your license plate as you pass each gantry. The authority uses that image to look up your registration through the Motor Vehicle Commission. Once they find your address, they mail you an invoice.
For the Atlantic City Expressway, a bill is triggered when either of these thresholds is hit:
- You accumulate $10 or more in unpaid tolls
- 30 days pass since your first unprocessed transaction
For Port Authority crossings like the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, and Holland Tunnel, the program is called Tolls by Mail. It works the same way. Your plate gets photographed, your address gets looked up, and a bill arrives.
How Much More Will You Pay Without E-ZPass?
This is the part that stings. Non-electronic rates in 2026 are significantly higher than E-ZPass rates. Authorities use the price gap to push drivers toward getting a transponder.
Atlantic City Expressway Rates
The rate difference on the Expressway is stark. A standard passenger car pays more than double without E-ZPass.
| Vehicle Type | E-ZPass Rate | Toll-by-Plate Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Car (2-Axle) | $6.30 | $13.60 | +115.8% |
| Motorcycle | $6.30 | $13.60 | +115.8% |
| 2-Axle Dual Tire Truck | $7.31 | $15.75 | +115% |
| 5-Axle Tractor Trailer | $18.08 | $37.16 | +105% |
Source: CBS News Philadelphia
Port Authority and Delaware River Bridge Rates
The Port Authority crossings carry some of the highest toll premiums in the state.
| Crossing | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWB / Lincoln / Holland Tunnels | $16.79 | $14.79 | $23.30 |
| DRJTBC (I-80 / I-78 / Route 1) | $2.00 | $2.00 | $5.00 |
| DRPA (Ben Franklin / Walt Whitman) | $6.00 | $6.00 | $6.00 |
Source: Port Authority 2026 Tolls
NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway
On these hybrid roads, cash rates are only slightly higher than E-ZPass peak rates. But E-ZPass users get an off-peak discount that cash payers cannot access at all.
| Segment | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Off-Peak | Cash Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnpike (Full Length) | $21.88 | $16.41 | $22.00 |
| GSP (Full Length) | $12.38 | $12.38 | $13.20 |
| Exit 17 (Lincoln Tunnel Conn.) | $4.37 | $3.28 | $4.50 |
| Exit 6A (PA Turnpike Conn.) | $4.78 | $3.59 | $4.85 |
Source: NJ Real Estate Network Toll Guide
The off-peak discount applies weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Cash payers miss out on those savings entirely.
How to Pay Your Invoice
Once your bill arrives, you have several ways to pay it. Acting quickly saves you from a cascade of late fees.
Pay Online
Head to ezpassnj.com and click on the payment option. You will need:
- Your invoice number
- The license plate listed on the bill
- A credit card, debit card, or bank account
This is the fastest method. Payments typically process within 24 to 48 hours.
Pay by Phone
Call 1-888-AUTO-TOLL (1-888-288-6865). The automated system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live agents are also available on weekdays during business hours if you run into any issues.
Pay by Mail
Send a check or money order (no cash) to:
NJ E-ZPass P.O. Box 4971 Trenton, NJ 08650
Write your invoice number in the memo line. Allow enough time for the payment to be received before your due date.
Pay in Person
Physical payment locations still exist for those who need to pay with cash. You can visit:
- Newark Customer Service Center
- Camden Customer Service Center
- Farley Service Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway
Got a Slip at the Booth Instead of a Bill?
If you drove through a Turnpike or Parkway cash lane without enough money, you may have received an Insufficient Funds Slip from the collector. This is not a violation yet. It is a grace period notice.
You can settle it quickly through the myPayNJTA app or portal. Pay via credit card or electronic check before the deadline and you avoid the $30 to $50 administrative fees that come with a formal violation.
What Happens If You Ignore the Bill
Ignoring a toll invoice is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. The system is designed to escalate quickly.
Here is how the timeline works:
- Days 1 to 30: First invoice sent. Base toll plus any Toll-by-Plate surcharge. No late fees if you pay on time.
- Days 31 to 60: Second notice sent. A $5.00 late fee is added.
- Days 61 to 90: Account escalates to formal violation status. Each unpaid transaction gets a $30 to $50 administrative fee.
- Day 120 and beyond: Debt is handed to a third-party collection agency.
- Final stage: The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission can suspend your vehicle registration.
That $2.50 toll can turn into a $75 problem fast. Pay it early.
Third-Party Apps That Can Help
Beyond the official system, some apps let you pay tolls without a physical transponder. These work well for occasional travelers who do not want a permanent E-ZPass account.
Ecotoll is one of the most popular options. Here is how it works:
- Pay a one-time $3.00 activation fee
- Register your license plate in the app
- Ecotoll tracks your tolls and bills your linked payment method automatically
- No monthly subscription fees
- Covers 19 states, including all New Jersey toll facilities
This approach can save you from the steep Toll-by-Plate surcharges, since Ecotoll often charges closer to the standard rate.
Driving a Rental Car in NJ?
Rental vehicles add another layer of complexity. Most major agencies have automated toll collection built into their programs, and the fees can add up without you realizing it.
Here is what typically happens with rental agency toll programs:
| Service Type | Daily Convenience Fee | Max Cap | Toll Rate Applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard TollPass | $4.95 to $5.35 | $34.65 | Tolls by Mail or cash rate |
| Transponder Rental | $4.95 | $34.65 | E-ZPass or cash rate |
Source: National Car Rental Toll FAQs
The daily fee can apply every day of your rental, not just the days you use a toll road. Always read the rental agreement carefully before you drive.
Want to use your personal E-ZPass in a rental car? You can, but there is one critical step. You must log into your E-ZPass account and add the rental plate as a temporary vehicle. Skip that step and you risk being billed twice: once on your personal account and once through the rental agency’s Toll-by-Plate system.
What the Law Says About Excessive Toll Fees
New Jersey lawmakers are paying attention to the growing complaints about toll surcharges. Several bills introduced in the 2026 to 2027 legislative session aim to protect drivers.
Senate Bill S2258, introduced by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, targets the fee structure directly. If passed, it would require:
- Authorities are to send a written notice within 60 days of a violation
- A 30-day remedy period to pay the base toll before any fees are added
- Clear disclosure of the actual processing cost that justifies the fee amount
Two other bills offer tax relief for frequent toll payers:
- Assembly Bill A663: A $1,000 gross income tax credit for drivers who pay more than $1,000 in tolls per year
- Senate Bill S135: A $1,000 deduction specifically for E-ZPass tolls
These bills are still in progress, but they signal growing political pressure to make the system fairer.
What Is Coming Next
The tolling landscape in New Jersey will keep changing. Here is what to expect over the next few years.
Starting in January 2027, the Port Authority will begin phasing out the off-peak E-ZPass discount. The phase-out runs through 2030. After that, all drivers, including E-ZPass holders will pay a single flat rate at any hour of the day.
The state is also evaluating Connected Vehicle technology as a future replacement for license plate cameras. This system would let vehicles transmit payment tokens directly to overhead gantries through short-range wireless communication. That could eventually offer a new way to pay without a traditional transponder.
Is It Finally Time to Get E-ZPass?
If you drive through New Jersey more than a couple of times a year, an E-ZPass saves you real money. It works across 19 states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts.
You can sign up at E-ZPass NJ. The transponder usually arrives within a week or two. From there, you get lower rates, access to off-peak discounts, and no more waiting for invoices in the mail.
Pay It, or Pay More Later
New Jersey’s cashless system is not going anywhere. If you drove through without E-ZPass, watch your mail and pay your invoice at ezpassnj.com before the due date. A $6 toll stays a $6 toll when you pay on time. Wait too long and that same toll can become a $50 headache with your registration on the line.
The rules are clear, the payment options are easy, and the cost of ignoring it is very real. Pay it fast and move on.
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.