Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Toll Rates, Payment & Traffic Guide 2025
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Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Toll Guide
Official Name: Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel)
Connects: Lower Manhattan (Battery Park) ↔ Brooklyn (Red Hook)
Length: 9,117 feet (1.7 miles) - Longest underwater tunnel in North America
Operator: MTA Bridges and Tunnels
Opened: May 25, 1950
Daily Traffic: 120,000+ vehicles
Payment: 100% Cashless (E-ZPass, Tolls by Mail)
Current Toll Rates (2025)
The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel operates with cashless tolling in both directions, with different rates based on your payment method and vehicle type.
Passenger Vehicles & Motorcycles
| Vehicle Type | E-ZPass Rate | Tolls by Mail | Annual Savings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Cars | $8.36 | $9.11 | $390 (daily commuter) |
| Motorcycles | $4.18 | $4.93 | $195 (daily commuter) |
*Based on 520 round trips per year (weekday commuting)
Commercial Vehicles & Trucks
| Vehicle Classification | E-ZPass Rate | Tolls by Mail |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Axle Trucks, Buses | $16.72 | $18.22 |
| 3-Axle Trucks | $25.08 | $27.33 |
| 4-Axle Trucks | $33.44 | $36.44 |
| 5-Axle Trucks | $41.80 | $45.55 |
| 6+ Axle Trucks | $50.16 | $54.66 |
How to Pay Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Tolls
The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel converted to 100% cashless tolling in 2017. Here are your payment options:
1. E-ZPass (Recommended)
- Best rates: Save $0.75 per trip compared to Tolls by Mail
- Instant payment: Drive through at highway speeds
- Works everywhere: Valid on all NYC bridges/tunnels and 16 other states
- Where to get: Online, 500+ retail locations, AAA offices
- Cost: $25 tag fee + $25 minimum balance
2. Tolls by Mail
- How it works: License plate photographed, bill mailed to vehicle owner
- Cost: Base toll + $0.75 convenience fee
- Timeline: Bill arrives 7-14 days after travel
- Payment window: 30 days to pay before penalties
- Late fees: $50 violation fee if unpaid after 30 days
3. Rental Car Arrangements
- Hertz PlatePass: $4.95/day + tolls
- Enterprise Pass: $3.95/day + tolls
- Avis e-Toll: $3.95/day + tolls
- Budget e-Toll: $3.95/day + tolls
To calculate exact toll costs including the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel for your specific route, use TollGuru NYC toll calculator
Traffic Patterns & Best Times to Travel
Peak Traffic Hours
Morning Rush (Manhattan-bound): 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
- Heavy congestion from Brooklyn Red Hook area
- Expected delays: 15-25 minutes
- Alternative: Consider Manhattan Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge
Evening Rush (Brooklyn-bound): 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Moderate congestion from Manhattan Battery Park area
- Expected delays: 10-20 minutes
- Less severe than morning rush due to direction
Best Travel Times
| Time Period | Traffic Level | Travel Time | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Morning (5-7 AM) | Light | 4-6 minutes | Excellent |
| Mid-Morning (10 AM-12 PM) | Moderate | 8-12 minutes | Good |
| Rush Hours | Heavy | 20-35 minutes | Avoid if possible |
| Late Evening (8 PM-11 PM) | Light | 5-8 minutes | Excellent |
Tunnel Specifications & Restrictions
Physical Specifications
- Total Length: 9,117 feet (1.7 miles)
- Underwater Length: 8,448 feet - Longest underwater vehicular tunnel in North America
- Maximum Depth: 151 feet below mean high water
- Number of Tubes: 2 (one in each direction)
- Lanes per Tube: 2 lanes
- Clearance Height: 12 feet 1 inch
Vehicle Restrictions
| Restriction Type | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 12'1" (12 feet 1 inch) | Strictly enforced |
| Maximum Width | 8'6" (8 feet 6 inches) | Including mirrors |
| Hazardous Materials | Prohibited | Use alternate routes |
| Pedestrians/Bicycles | Prohibited | Motor vehicles only |
Directions & Access Points
Manhattan Entrance (Brooklyn-bound)
- Location: Battery Park area, near South Ferry
- From FDR Drive South: Take Exit 1 (South Street/Battery Park)
- From West Side Highway: Follow signs to Battery Park/Brooklyn Tunnel
- From Lower Manhattan: Take West Street south to tunnel entrance
- Nearest Subway: South Ferry-Whitehall Terminal (R, W trains)
Brooklyn Entrance (Manhattan-bound)
- Location: Red Hook area, Hamilton Avenue
- From Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278): Take Exit 26 (Hamilton Avenue)
- From Gowanus Expressway: Take Exit 23 (Hamilton Avenue)
- From local streets: Follow Hamilton Avenue west to tunnel entrance
- Nearest Subway: Carroll-9th Streets (F, G trains) - 0.8 miles
Alternative Routes & Comparisons
Nearby Crossing Options
| Crossing | E-ZPass Toll | Distance from Battery Tunnel | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel | $8.36 | - | Lower Manhattan access |
| Brooklyn Bridge | FREE | 1.2 miles north | Budget-conscious drivers |
| Manhattan Bridge | FREE | 2.1 miles north | Downtown Brooklyn access |
| Williamsburg Bridge | FREE | 3.5 miles north | Williamsburg/LES access |
| Queens-Midtown Tunnel | $8.36 | 4.2 miles north | Midtown Manhattan |
When to Choose Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel
- Financial District access: Direct route to Wall Street, World Trade Center
- Weather protection: Enclosed tunnel vs exposed bridges
- Consistent travel times: Less affected by weather than bridges
- Red Hook/Carroll Gardens: Most direct route from these Brooklyn neighborhoods
- Airport connections: Good route to/from JFK and LGA via Brooklyn
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called both Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel?
The tunnel was officially renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in 2012 to honor the former New York Governor, but most New Yorkers still call it the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. Both names are correct and widely used.
Can I pay cash at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel?
No, the tunnel has been cashless since 2017. You need E-ZPass for the best rates, or you'll be billed by mail to the vehicle owner's address with a $0.75 convenience fee.
What happens if my vehicle is too tall for the tunnel?
Vehicles over 12'1" are prohibited and will be turned away. Height sensors detect oversized vehicles before entering. Alternative routes include the Verrazzano Bridge (228' clearance) or free bridges like the Manhattan Bridge.
Is there a resident discount for the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel?
No, unlike some other NYC crossings, there are no resident discounts for the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. All users pay the same rates regardless of residency.
Can bicycles or pedestrians use the tunnel?
No, the tunnel is for motor vehicles only. Cyclists and pedestrians should use the free Brooklyn Bridge (1.2 miles north) which has dedicated bike/pedestrian pathways.
Construction & Maintenance Updates
Current Projects (2025)
- Routine Maintenance: Ongoing tile replacement and lighting upgrades
- Ventilation System: Periodic fan maintenance typically during overnight hours
- Electronic Systems: E-ZPass reader upgrades completed in 2024
- Safety Improvements: Enhanced emergency communication systems installation
Scheduled Closures
The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel rarely closes completely, but occasional single-tube closures occur for maintenance:
- Typical Schedule: 12:00 AM - 5:00 AM (one tube closed, alternating traffic)
- Notice: 48-72 hours advance notification via 511NY and MTA alerts
- Duration: Usually 4-6 hours maximum
- Impact: Expect 15-30 minute delays during overnight maintenance
Emergency Information
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency Services: 911 (fire, police, medical)
- MTA Police: *911 from mobile phones
- Traffic Incidents: 511 or #511 from mobile
- Toll Violations: 1-646-252-7000
- E-ZPass Customer Service: 1-800-333-8655
Emergency Procedures
- Vehicle Breakdown: Pull to right shoulder, turn on hazards, call for help
- Emergency Exits: Located every 200 feet, marked with green signs
- Fire Emergency: Exit vehicle immediately, use emergency walkway
- Medical Emergency: Call 911, emergency vehicles respond within 5-10 minutes
Related NYC Crossings
Other MTA Bridges & Tunnels:
- Queens-Midtown Tunnel - Connects Midtown Manhattan to Long Island City
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge - Brooklyn to Staten Island, $10.17 toll
- Robert F. Kennedy Bridge - Connects Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens
- Bronx-Whitestone Bridge - Bronx to Queens crossing
- Throgs Neck Bridge - Alternative Bronx-Queens crossing
Free Alternative Bridges:
- Brooklyn Bridge - Historic 1883 bridge with bike/pedestrian access
- Manhattan Bridge - Connects lower Manhattan to Brooklyn
- Williamsburg Bridge - Lower East Side to Williamsburg
- Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge - Manhattan to Queens (some ramps tolled)
