Crossing the Lincoln Tunnel used to be simple. You handed over some cash, drove through, and got on with your day. Now, between PANYNJ rate increases, E-ZPass tiers, and the MTA’s Central Business District tolling program, figuring out what you actually owe feels like filing a tax return at 60 mph. 😅
Here is the quick answer: In 2026, a standard passenger car (Class 1) entering New York via the Lincoln Tunnel pays $14.79 with E-ZPass during off-peak hours or $16.79 during peak hours. Tolls by Mail pushes that to $23.30. If you are heading into Manhattan’s CBD south of 60th Street, add another $9.00 on top during peak hours.
Use the calculator below to get your exact number in seconds. Then keep reading to understand exactly what drives that total so no surprise charge ever catches you off guard again.
Lincoln Tunnel Toll Calculator (2026)
Total Estimated Toll: $0.00
PANYNJ Base Toll: $0.00
MTA CBDTP Charge: $0.00
MTA Crossing Credit: $0.00
Disclaimer: Toll rates reflect the 2026 PANYNJ 3% capital plan increase and MTA Phase 1 CBD Tolling program structures. This calculator provides an estimate and does not account for unforeseen surcharges or adaptive management adjustments.
- How Lincoln Tunnel Tolls Actually Work in 2026
- PANYNJ Vehicle Classes Explained
- Peak vs Off-Peak Hours: When You Cross Matters
- E-ZPass vs Tolls by Mail: The Pricing Gap Is Real
- The MTA CBD Toll: What It Is and Who Pays It
- Special Discount Plans Worth Knowing About
- A Real Trip Example: What a Daily Commuter Actually Pays
- Quick Reminders Before You Cross
- Your Toll, Decoded
How Lincoln Tunnel Tolls Actually Work in 2026
Understanding your toll starts with knowing who charges what. Two separate agencies collect money when you use the Lincoln Tunnel, and confusing the two is how most people end up surprised at the end of the month.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) runs the tunnel itself. They charge their base toll every time you enter New York. That toll went up 3% in early 2026 as part of their ongoing capital improvement plan. It applies regardless of where you go once you cross.
On top of that, the MTA’s Congestion Pricing program adds a separate charge if your destination sits south of 60th Street in Manhattan. That is the Central Business District toll, and it is completely independent of PANYNJ.
Think of it as two receipts for one trip. PANYNJ for the tunnel. MTA for the Manhattan destination.
PANYNJ Vehicle Classes Explained
Not all vehicles pay the same rate. PANYNJ assigns every vehicle to a class based on axle count and wheel configuration. Knowing your class before you reach the toll plaza saves a lot of confusion.
Here is a quick breakdown of the most common classes:
| Class | Description | Example Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 2 axles, single rear wheels | Cars, SUVs, most RVs |
| Class 2 | 2 axles, dual rear wheels | Heavy pickup trucks, some RVs |
| Class 3 | 3 axles | Some commercial trucks |
| Class 4 | 4 axles | Medium commercial trucks |
| Class 5 | 5 axles | Large semi trucks |
| Class 6 | 6 or more axles | Heavy combination vehicles |
| Class 7 | Class 1 or 11 towing trailer | Car with trailer, motorcycle with trailer |
| Class 8 | 2 axle buses (10 or more seats) | Charter buses, school buses |
| Class 11 | Motorcycle | All motorcycles |
Most everyday drivers fall into Class 1. If you drive a standard passenger car or SUV, that is your class.
Peak vs Off-Peak Hours: When You Cross Matters
The time you use the Lincoln Tunnel directly affects how much you pay. PANYNJ charges higher rates during peak travel periods. So yes, that 8am commute really does cost you more than a midnight drive. 🕐
Weekday peak hours:
- 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM (morning rush)
- 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (evening rush)
Weekend peak hours:
- 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Everything outside those windows counts as off-peak. For Class 1 E-ZPass NY/NJ users, that means paying $14.79 off-peak versus $16.79 during peak. Not earth-shattering, but it adds up fast if you commute five days a week.
Heavy trucks (Classes 2 through 6) also qualify for a special Trucks Weekday Overnight rate on weeknights between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. That rate sits noticeably lower than peak pricing, so commercial drivers who can plan flexible schedules save real money.
E-ZPass vs Tolls by Mail: The Pricing Gap Is Real
Ever wonder why PANYNJ pushes E-ZPass so aggressively? One look at the rate difference answers that question pretty fast.
2026 Class 1 rate comparison:
| Payment Method | Rate |
|---|---|
| E-ZPass NY/NJ (Off-Peak) | $14.79 |
| E-ZPass NY/NJ (Peak) | $16.79 |
| E-ZPass Mid-Tier (Out-of-State) | $19.55 |
| Tolls by Mail | $23.30 |
Tolls by Mail costs 57% more than E-ZPass off-peak. That is not a small difference. Over 200 crossings a year, that gap runs to more than $1,700 for a Class 1 driver.
Beyond the higher base rate, Tolls by Mail bills you after the fact. If you miss the 30-day payment window, a $5.00 late fee kicks in. Ignore that, and each unpaid toll becomes a $50.00 violation. Your registration can eventually get suspended. None of that sounds fun.
Bottom line: If you regularly use the Lincoln Tunnel, get an E-ZPass through PANYNJ. The setup cost pays for itself on the first few trips.
The MTA CBD Toll: What It Is and Who Pays It
The Congestion Pricing program launched in mid-2024 and added a new layer of complexity to any trip into lower Manhattan. If your destination sits south of 60th Street, the MTA charges you a separate toll on top of whatever PANYNJ collects.
2026 CBD toll rates for common vehicle types:
| Vehicle Type | E-ZPass Peak | E-ZPass Overnight | Tolls by Mail Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car | $9.00 | $2.25 | $13.50 |
| Single-unit truck | $14.40 | $3.60 | $21.60 |
| Multi-unit truck | $21.60 | $5.40 | $32.40 |
| Motorcycle | $4.50 | $1.05 | $6.75 |
CBD peak hours run weekdays from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM and weekends from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
The Crossing Credit
Here is some good news. Because the Lincoln Tunnel already charges a toll, the MTA offers a crossing credit for E-ZPass users heading into the CBD during peak hours. Passenger cars get $3.00 back against their CBD charge, making the effective CBD addition $6.00 instead of $9.00.
That credit applies automatically. You do not need to register for it separately.
Daily Cap for Passenger Cars
The MTA also caps CBD charges at one toll per day for passenger cars and motorcycles. So if you enter the CBD twice in one day, you pay the CBD toll only on your first entry. The calculator handles this automatically when you check the “already entered CBD today” option.
Special Discount Plans Worth Knowing About
PANYNJ runs a couple of programs that can meaningfully reduce what frequent users pay. Most people have never heard of them, which seems like a missed opportunity worth fixing.
The Green Discount Plan
Own an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid? PANYNJ’s Green Discount Plan cuts your off-peak Class 1 toll from $14.79 down to $11.29. That is a 24% reduction. The plan requires a New York E-ZPass tag and enrollment through a PANYNJ Customer Service Center.
Peak hour rates stay the same under the Green Discount Plan, so the savings are concentrated in off-peak travel.
The PASI Plan
The PASI plan primarily targets frequent users of the Staten Island bridges. However, it also applies to the Lincoln Tunnel for Class 1, Class 7, and Class 11 vehicles with a NY or NJ E-ZPass.
Once you rack up 3 or more PANYNJ trips in a calendar month, your per-crossing rate drops to $8.40 for Class 1 vehicles, regardless of time of day. For daily commuters, that is a substantial saving compared to standard peak pricing.
A Real Trip Example: What a Daily Commuter Actually Pays
Say you commute from New Jersey into Midtown Manhattan every weekday morning at 8:00 AM. You drive a Class 1 car with E-ZPass NY/NJ, and your office sits south of 60th Street.
Your per-trip cost breakdown:
- PANYNJ peak toll: $16.79
- MTA CBD peak charge: $9.00
- MTA crossing credit: $3.00
- Total per trip: $22.79
Over a 250-day work year, that adds up to $5,697.50 annually. Enroll in the PASI plan from the third trip onward, and your PANYNJ portion drops to $8.40, cutting your daily total to $14.40. That saves roughly $2,098 per year. Worth a phone call to PANYNJ.
Quick Reminders Before You Cross
A few practical points to keep in mind before heading through:
- Tolls are collected eastbound only. Heading back to New Jersey costs nothing.
- E-ZPass Mid-Tier applies to out-of-state tags or cases where your tag cannot be read and your license plate gets matched instead. The rate is higher than a local NY/NJ tag.
- Towing a trailer bumps your CBDTP vehicle class up one level, which increases your CBD toll.
- Certain vehicles are exempt from CBD tolls entirely, including qualifying emergency vehicles, disability vehicles, and commuter buses. Check MTA’s official exemption list if you think you might qualify.
- Violation fees are steep. A $50 fine per unpaid toll adds up shockingly fast if you ignore invoices.
Your Toll, Decoded
The Lincoln Tunnel toll system rewards preparation. Drivers who know their vehicle class, time their crossings, and carry a properly registered E-ZPass NY/NJ tag pay the lowest rates the system offers. Drivers who skip E-ZPass and ignore invoices pay several times more and risk losing their registration in the process.
The calculator at the top of this page handles every scenario described here, including discount plans, CBD charges, crossing credits, and peak hours. Punch in your details before your next trip and you will know exactly what to expect. No surprises, no scrambling for your wallet mid-tunnel. That is how you beat the toll.
For official rate information and enrollment in discount programs, visit PANYNJ Bridges & Tunnels and the MTA Congestion Relief Zone page.
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.