The introduction of congestion pricing has made New York City the most driveable city in the United States, with drivers facing fees of up to $27 just to enter Manhattan.
This is more than double the maximum fee of $10.25 to enter San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge or the maximum fee of $7.80 on the Skyway to enter Chicago.
As the paper's map shows, two-axle drivers in New York City currently pay between $9 and $20 for an EZ Pass, and between $13.50 and $27 if they don't enter a “congestion zone.” Larger cars and trucks will cost even more.
According to MTA statistics, more than 700,000 vehicles enter Manhattan's congestion toll areas every day, equating to at least $4 million in toll revenue for the MTA per day.
Here's a comparison of tolls for driving a two-axle vehicle in other major U.S. cities.
san francisco
Toll fee: $8 to $10.25
The closest city to New York is San Francisco. San Francisco is also located on the bay and is accessible by numerous bridges.
Crossing fees vary depending on which bridge a road user uses, except for the Golden Gate Bridge, which is $9.25 with a FasTrak pass and $10.25 without a pass, but Bay Area bridges All cost $8.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) spokeswoman Rebecca Long told the Post: “The current $8 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge passenger vehicle toll has just been increased by $1, which is the final increase from the voter-approved $3 toll increase from 2018.”
However, it warned of an additional $2.50 increase on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and six other state-run toll bridges.
“This increase will begin in 2026 and increase by $0.50 per year until 2030,” she added.
Tolls in San Francisco remain the same no matter what time of day the vehicle passes.
chicago
Toll fee: $7.80 to $10
The Windy City is home to the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge (also known as the “Skyway”), a 12.5-mile toll road that connects the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago's south side.
Skyway fares increased this month, with drivers of two-axle cars now paying $7.20 to $7.80 per trip during peak and off-peak hours.
Thanks to this road, the number of drivers of trucks and other large vehicles also increased further. For these vehicles, higher fees vary depending on the time of day and number of axles.
The state's toll roads are classified as user-free systems, which do not receive any state or federal funds for maintenance or operation, according to . illinois toll road.
cost Illinois tolls vary Depending on the toll road, vehicle type, and time of day, tolls on the Veterans Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Illinois Tri-State Tollway, and Jane Addams Memorial Tollway typically range from $5 to $10. It is between. Rental car company Sixt.
houston
Toll fee: up to $15
Harris County, which includes Houston, is the most populous county in Texas, and the city often suffers from traffic congestion.
The Grand Parkway system is one of the newest toll roads connecting commuters to Houston, but like other similar toll roads in the area; costs vary It depends on what kind of vehicle you drive and what points you enter, pass through, and exit.
According to Turnpikeinfo.com, a full lap of the Sam Houston Tollway around the city costs $14.40, or $12 if your car is equipped with the TxTag automated payment system.
However, there are many free routes into the city, and the typical toll road user reports paying between $1.50 and $3 per day.
In 2023, Harris County commissioners unanimously voted to lower the fees. some toll booths.
“Harris County's toll roads are not tax-funded,” Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) spokeswoman Tracy Jackson told the Post.
“Toll roads are funded by user fees (tolls) in exchange for services paid only by those who choose to use them.Use of toll roads is voluntary…Toll roads require ongoing maintenance. We need a flow of funds.”
Jackson said toll roads are essential to “solving congestion and mobility issues.”
“Harris County's population is exploding, and that means more demand on our roads,” she says.
“Federal and state transportation funding is limited and tax collections cannot keep up with demand, making toll roads a viable option for building and maintaining roads.”
norfolk, virginia
Toll fee: $21
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects Virginia Beach to Cape Charles, Virginia, and is the main route to Norfolk. Tolls can be as high as $21 during peak season, May 15th to September 15th, and $16 at other times.
The 28.6-mile-long structure combines a bridge and two tunnels, saving motorists a 155-mile round trip between Hampton Roads and the Delaware Valley.
But the city's website notes that “CBBT's cost per mile for passenger vehicles is the lowest cost per mile for paid marine transportation in the region.”
Los Angeles
Tolls: No compulsory tolls
In Los Angeles, there are no mandatory road tolls for road users. However, the city does offer HOV and express lanes, with rates varying from $0.10 per mile to $2.40 per mile depending on traffic.
atlanta
Tolls: No compulsory tolls
Georgia Express Lanes allow commuters to avoid traffic congestion throughout the metro Atlanta area.
There is 4 express lane facilities: I-75 South, I-75 Northwest Corridor (NWC), I-85 Express Lanes, I-85 Extension.
According to PeachPass, Georgia's electronic tolling system created with the State Highway Toll Authority (SRTA), tolls will increase as demand for lane use increases.
All Georgia Express Lane toll rates range from $0.10 to $0.90 per mile during peak hours and are based on travel conditions at each Express Lane facility, rather than a predetermined maximum rate. S.R.T.A.. During periods of very low demand, the per-mile rate for express lane facilities may be replaced by a fixed rate of $0.50 per trip, regardless of the length of the trip. Flat rate charges apply even during off-peak hours.
Drivers can see the posted toll amount before entering the lane, so they can decide whether to use the lane or not.
