Crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 2026? The rate you pay depends on your vehicle type, your payment method, and whether you qualify for a resident discount. Use the calculator below to get your exact toll instantly.
Check the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Toll Cost
Your estimated single-crossing toll will appear here.
Rates effective as of January 4, 2026. Note: Split tolling is in effect; you are charged this rate in both directions.
- What You Need to Know About the 2026 Toll Rates
- Standard Passenger Car Rates
- Motorcycle Rates
- Staten Island Resident Program
- Commercial Vehicle and Truck Rates
- Alternate Routes: VNB vs. Port Authority Bridges
- Drive vs. Transit: Running the Numbers
- EV and Plug-In Hybrid Discounts
- Brooklyn Residents: Senate Bill S13
- 2026 VNB Toll Rates: Quick Reference
- Stop Overpaying at the Bridge
What You Need to Know About the 2026 Toll Rates
The MTA raised tolls by around 7.5% on January 4, 2026. This increase in funds raises operational costs and the 2026 Capital Projects program.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (VNB) is the most complex toll point in the MTA network. It carries thirteen lanes of Interstate 278 between Brooklyn and Staten Island. The rate you pay depends on three things:
- Your vehicle type
- How you pay
- Whether you qualify for a resident discount
One more thing to know before we go further: the VNB uses split tolling. You get charged in both directions. Budget for both crossings every time you travel.
Standard Passenger Car Rates
For most drivers, the toll you pay comes down to one thing: whether your E-ZPass tag is read at the gantry. The 2026 system uses three payment tiers, and the difference between them is significant.
| Payment Method | 2026 Rate Per Crossing |
|---|---|
| NYCSC E-ZPass (tag read) | $7.46 |
| Mid-Tier NYCSC (tag not read) | $9.79 |
| Tolls by Mail | $12.03 |
NYCSC E-ZPass: $7.46
This is the lowest standard rate. It applies when your MTA, NYSTA, or PANYNJ-issued tag is properly mounted and successfully read by the gantry.
Mid-Tier: $9.79
This tier catches a lot of people off guard. If you have a valid NYCSC account but your tag is not read at the gantry, the system bills your license plate instead. You pay more even though you have an E-ZPass account. The most common reason? The tag is sitting in the glove box instead of mounted on the windshield.
Crossing twice a day, five days a week, the difference between the E-ZPass rate and the Mid-Tier rate adds up to over $1,200 per year.
Mount your tag properly. It is that simple.
Tolls by Mail: $12.03
This rate applies to:
- Out-of-state E-ZPass holders
- Unlinked accounts
- Vehicles with no electronic tag
Unpaid Tolls by Mail bills also pick up a $5 late fee after 30 days and escalate further after 60 days. Cash is not accepted at the bridge.
Motorcycle Rates
Motorcycles are billed separately from passenger cars. The rates are lower, but the same three-tier structure applies.
| Payment Method | 2026 Rate Per Crossing |
|---|---|
| NYCSC E-ZPass | $3.02 |
| Mid-Tier NYCSC | $3.89 |
| Tolls by Mail | $4.71 |
Staten Island Resident Program
Staten Island has no direct subway connection to the rest of New York City. For residents, the VNB is not optional. It is the only way on and off the island without taking a ferry. The Staten Island Resident (SIR) Program reflects that reality.
Eligible residents pay an effective rate of $2.75 per crossing. That rate is sustained through an MTA Rebate Program, not as a standalone posted toll.
How to Qualify
To qualify for the SIR Program, you must meet all of the following:
- Your vehicle must be non-commercial
- Your vehicle must be registered in New York State
- Your registration address must be on Staten Island
- You must have a valid NYCSC E-ZPass account with the SIR plan code active
Out-of-state registrations do not qualify, even if you genuinely live on the island.
SIR Rate Breakdown
| Rate Type | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Effective Resident Rate | $2.75 | If the tag is unmounted or resident status is inactive |
| SIR Base E-ZPass Rate | $4.19 | The rebate fund is active |
| Standard NYCSC Rate | $7.46 | If the tag is unmounted or the resident status is inactive |
If the MTA rebate fund runs out or the program is suspended, the rate reverts to the $4.19 base rate. Plan for that possibility if you are building any budget assumptions around the $2.75 figure.
SIR Carpool Rate: $1.70
The SIR Carpool Plan is the lowest rate available for any four-wheeled vehicle on the VNB.
To qualify:
- You must be an eligible Staten Island resident
- You need a switchable HOV E-ZPass tag
- The tag must be manually set to the “3+” position before crossing
- You must have three or more occupants in the vehicle
Forget to switch the tag before the gantry and you will miss the discount for that trip.
Commercial Vehicle and Truck Rates
Commercial vehicle tolls on the VNB are among the highest in the country. The MTA classifies any vehicle over 7,000 lbs MGW or with more than two axles as commercial. The 2026 rates follow an axle-based model because more axles mean more wear on the bridge structure.
2026 Commercial Rates by Axle Count
| Axle Count | NYCSC E-ZPass | Mid-Tier | Tolls by Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Axles | $13.49 | $18.87 | $24.07 |
| 3 Axles | $22.10 | $31.00 | $39.62 |
| 4 Axles | $28.26 | $39.08 | $49.54 |
| 5 Axles | $36.84 | $51.19 | $65.10 |
| 6 Axles | $42.98 | $59.26 | $75.00 |
7 or More Axles
For vehicles with seven or more axles, the toll is calculated using the 6-axle base rate plus an additional charge for each axle beyond six.
| Payment Method | Additional Charge Per Axle Beyond 6 |
|---|---|
| NYCSC E-ZPass | $4.88 |
| Mid-Tier | $5.02 |
| Tolls by Mail | $5.06 |
The 21-Trip Monthly Rebate
Frequent commercial crossers can earn a 15% rebate on their VNB tolls. Here is how it works:
- You must hold a NYCSC Commercial or Business account
- Your vehicle must make 21 or more VNB crossings in a single calendar month
- The rebate is applied automatically at the end of the billing cycle
- A 0.85 multiplier is applied to your total VNB tolls for that month
For a five-axle truck crossing twice a day, this rebate can save a fleet operator several thousand dollars per year. Track your monthly trip count if you are anywhere near that threshold.
Alternate Routes: VNB vs. Port Authority Bridges
The VNB is not the only option for every trip. If your destination is in New Jersey, the Port Authority bridges offer a different pricing model that may work in your favor depending on when you travel.
Port Authority 2026 Peak and Off-Peak Hours
| Period | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Weekday Peak | 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Weekend Peak | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Off-Peak | All other hours |
Goethals Bridge E-ZPass Rates (Class 1 Vehicle)
| Time Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Peak | $16.79 |
| Off-Peak | $14.79 |
The PASI discount plan is also worth knowing about. Make at least three trips across any PANYNJ Staten Island bridge in a month and the rate drops to $8.40 per trip. That is a useful benchmark for regular New Jersey commuters.
Drive vs. Transit: Running the Numbers
Before committing to a daily driving routine, it is worth comparing your toll costs against the cost of taking the bus. The 2026 OMNY fare caps give us a clear baseline for that comparison.
2026 OMNY Fare Caps
| Transit Type | Weekly Cap |
|---|---|
| Subway and Local Bus | $35.00 (12 rides in 7 days) |
| Reduced Fare | $17.50 |
| Express Bus | $67.00 (unlimited rides) |
Express Bus fares in 2026 are set at $7.25 per trip.
The Weekly Driving Math
Two VNB crossings per day at $7.46 equals $14.92. Five days a week equals $74.60 in tolls alone. Add gas and parking on top of that.
If your weekly total exceeds $67.00, the Staten Island Express Bus routes such as SIM1 and SIM4C become a genuinely competitive alternative. The math does not lie.
EV and Plug-In Hybrid Discounts
Drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have access to additional discounts through the NY GREEN Discount Plan. This plan is free to register for through E-ZPass New York.
What the NY GREEN Plan Offers
- 10% discount on New York State Thruway facilities
- Tiered off-peak discount at PANYNJ crossings
PANYNJ Rates for NY GREEN Plan Holders (Class 1 EV)
| Time Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Off-Peak | $11.29 |
| Peak | $16.79 |
Note that the VNB itself, as an MTA Bridges and Tunnels facility, does not currently apply a separate EV-specific toll. The standard $7.46 NYCSC E-ZPass rate applies for VNB crossings. The NY GREEN discount applies primarily to Thruway and PANYNJ facilities.
Brooklyn Residents: Senate Bill S13
Brooklyn residents who cross the VNB regularly have been tracking Senate Bill S13 closely. If passed and funded, this bill would create a Kings County Resident Rebate similar to the SIR program.
What S13 Would Provide
- A rebate for Brooklyn residents who make more than 10 VNB crossings per month
- A discount roughly equivalent to the Staten Island resident rate
As of early 2026, S13 remains pending. Brooklyn residents currently pay the standard $7.46 NYCSC E-ZPass rate with no resident rebate available. You can check the current status of the bill on the NY State Senate website.
2026 VNB Toll Rates: Quick Reference
Here is a summary of all key rates for easy reference.
Passenger Vehicles
| Vehicle and Payment Method | Rate Per Crossing |
|---|---|
| Car, NYCSC E-ZPass | $7.46 |
| Car, Mid-Tier (tag not read) | $9.79 |
| Car, Tolls by Mail | $12.03 |
| Motorcycle, NYCSC E-ZPass | $3.02 |
| Motorcycle, Mid-Tier | $3.89 |
| Motorcycle, Tolls by Mail | $4.71 |
Staten Island Resident Rates
| Rate Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| SIR Effective Rate (rebate active) | $2.75 |
| SIR Base Rate (rebate suspended) | $4.19 |
| SIR Carpool HOV-3+ | $1.70 |
Commercial Vehicles (NYCSC E-ZPass)
| Axle Count | Rate Per Crossing |
|---|---|
| 2 Axles | $13.49 |
| 3 Axles | $22.10 |
| 4 Axles | $28.26 |
| 5 Axles | $36.84 |
| 6 Axles | $42.98 |
| 7+ Axles | $42.98 plus $4.88 per extra axle |
All rates are effective as of January 4, 2026. Verify current figures at the MTA official tolls page.
Stop Overpaying at the Bridge
The VNB toll in 2026 is not one fixed number. It is a set of decisions that directly affects how much you spend every time you cross. The difference between a properly mounted NYCSC E-ZPass and a Tolls by Mail bill is $4.57 per crossing. That gap compounds fast.
Here is what to action right now:
- Mount your tag on the windshield. Not in the cupholder. Not in the glove box.
- Check your E-ZPass account plan. If you live on Staten Island, confirm your SIR plan code is active.
- Track commercial trip counts. If you are close to 21 trips per month on the VNB, make sure your NYCSC business account is set up to capture the rebate.
- Run the drive vs. transit math. If your weekly toll total is higher than the $67.00 Express Bus cap, the bus might be worth reconsidering.
Small changes in how you pay and how you plan can lead to real savings over the course of a year.
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.