Delaware Toll Roads Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Turnpike and Bridges 2026
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Delaware Toll Roads, Bridges & Turnpike Complete Guide
System: E-ZPass + Cash (I-95, Route 1) + Cashless Toll-by-Plate (US-301, DRJTBC bridges)
Coverage: I-95 Delaware Turnpike, Route 1, US Route 301, Delaware Memorial Bridge, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridges
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass RFID transponders, license plate recognition (Toll-by-Plate/TOLL BY PLATE), cash lanes (I-95, Route 1)
Operators: DelDOT (State toll roads), Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA — Delaware Memorial Bridge), Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC — 8 PA/NJ bridges)
Do I Need E-ZPass for Delaware? 2026 Update
E-ZPass is not required — cash is still accepted on I-95 and Route 1 — but it provides the lowest toll rates. Without E-ZPass, you pay significantly higher "Toll-by-Plate" or cash rates, particularly on Route 1 where Delaware E-ZPass holders receive a special lower rate unavailable to out-of-state tags or cash payers.
Key Reality: On the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission's eight bridges (connecting Delaware and New Jersey), TOLL BY PLATE costs $5.00 per crossing versus just $2.00 with E-ZPass — 150% more. On Route 1, Delaware E-ZPass users pay the lowest rate; all others (cash, out-of-state E-ZPass, or Toll-by-Plate) pay a higher rate.
2026 Updates: Significant rate increases took effect August 15, 2025 on DelDOT's I-95, Route 1, and US-301 toll facilities — the first major increase on Route 1 since 2014 and on I-95 in over a decade. These changes generate approximately $107 million annually for Delaware infrastructure. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission implemented new 2026 rates on January 1, 2026 (E-ZPass Class 1: $2.00; TOLL BY PLATE: $5.00). The Delaware Memorial Bridge began its two-phase toll increase in April 2025, with Phase 2 possible no earlier than January 2027. A new invoice-first billing system replaced the previous violation-first system for non-E-ZPass I-95 users as of August 2025.
Delaware Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
DelDOT State Toll Facilities (Effective August 15, 2025)
| Facility | Delaware E-ZPass (2-axle) | Cash / Non-DE E-ZPass (2-axle) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-95 Newark Toll Plaza (Delaware Turnpike) | $5.00 | $5.00 | Collected both directions; same rate all E-ZPass/cash |
| Route 1 — Biddles Corner & Dover (weekday, 2-axle) | $1.50 | $2.50 | Delaware E-ZPass only; non-DE E-ZPass/cash/mail pay higher rate |
| Route 1 — Biddles Corner & Dover (weekend, 2-axle) | $4.00 | $6.00 | Weekend: Friday 7 PM – Sunday 11 PM |
| Route 1 — Full length (all plazas, E-ZPass) | ~$5.00 weekday | ~$6.00 mail / $6.00 cash | Cumulative of all Route 1 toll plazas |
| US Route 301 (Middletown Bypass) — cashless only | $5.00 | $7.00 (Toll-by-Plate) | No cash option; plate-billing only without E-ZPass |
Important note on Route 1: Only Delaware-issued E-ZPass accounts receive the lower weekday $1.50 / weekend $4.00 rates. Customers with out-of-state E-ZPass transponders, cash payers, or Toll-by-Plate customers pay the higher $2.50/$6.00 rates. If you regularly use Route 1, a Delaware E-ZPass account from ezpassde.com provides the best savings.
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission — 8 Bridges (Effective January 1, 2026)
The DRJTBC operates eight toll bridges connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River north of Philadelphia. All are fully cashless since January 13, 2025. Tolls collected Pennsylvania-bound only.
| Vehicle Class | E-ZPass Rate | TOLL BY PLATE Rate | Savings with E-ZPass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 — passenger cars, 2 axles, under 8 ft high | $2.00 | $5.00 | 60% — save $3.00 per crossing |
| Class 2–7 — trucks, buses, large vehicles (per axle) | $6.50/axle | $8.00/axle | 18.75% — save $1.50/axle per crossing |
The eight DRJTBC bridges are: Scudder Falls (I-295), Trenton-Morrisville, I-78 (Easton-Phillipsburg), Delaware Water Gap (I-80), New Hope-Lambertville, Portland-Columbia, Milford-Montague (Route 206), and Easton-Belvidere. All cashless since January 2025.
Delaware Memorial Bridge (DRBA) — 2026 Rates
| Vehicle / Payment | Rate (2-axle) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-ZPass (Delaware or NJ account) | $4.75 | Unchanged from pre-2025 (Phase 1 did not affect E-ZPass) |
| E-ZPass (other state) | $5.00 | Slightly higher than DE/NJ E-ZPass rate |
| Cash | $6.00 | Increased April 1, 2025 (Phase 1 of DRBA two-phase plan) |
| Commuter Discount ($27.50 / 22 trips, 30 days) | $1.25/trip | NJ E-ZPass accounts only; passenger cars only |
| Frequent Traveler Discount ($45 / 20 trips, 90 days) | $2.25/trip | NJ E-ZPass accounts only; passenger cars only |
The Delaware Memorial Bridge is tolled northbound (New Jersey to Delaware) only. Southbound travel is free. The DRBA plans a second phase of rate changes no earlier than January 1, 2027, which may affect E-ZPass holders. A cashless tolling conversion is planned; the DRBA aims for 90%+ E-ZPass penetration before transitioning.
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Delaware toll roads and bridges, use the TollGuru Delaware toll calculator:
How to Pay Delaware Tolls
1. E-ZPass (Recommended):
- Delaware E-ZPass: ezpassde.com — provides the lowest rates on Route 1 (unavailable with any other payment method)
- E-ZPass works statewide and across all 20 E-ZPass member states
- Delaware Memorial Bridge: NJ E-ZPass provides access to commuter and frequent traveler discount programs; Delaware E-ZPass and most others charge $4.75
- DRJTBC bridges: any E-ZPass transponder pays the $2.00 Class 1 rate
- US-301: E-ZPass required for the $5.00 rate; without it, $7.00 Toll-by-Plate invoice is mailed
2. Cash:
- Accepted at I-95 Newark Toll Plaza and Route 1 toll plazas
- Not available on US-301 (cashless only) or DRJTBC bridges (all cashless since January 2025)
- Delaware Memorial Bridge cash rate increased to $6.00 as of April 1, 2025
3. Toll-by-Plate / Invoice:
- Cameras photograph plates at E-ZPass lanes; invoice mailed within 30 days (new system as of August 2025 — no longer issued as a violation immediately)
- Must be paid within 30 days to avoid escalating to a violation; violation carries additional fees
- DRJTBC: TOLL BY PLATE — second toll bill carries $5 late fee; each overdue transaction then becomes a violation with $30 fee
Recent Changes (2026)
August 15, 2025 — DelDOT Rate Increases (I-95, Route 1, US-301):
- I-95 Newark: increased from $4.00 to $5.00 (first increase in over a decade; same rate for E-ZPass and cash)
- Route 1: Delaware E-ZPass weekday increased from $1.00 to $1.50; weekend from $2.50 to $4.00. Cash/non-DE E-ZPass weekday: $2.50; weekend: $6.00 (first Route 1 increase since 2014)
- US-301: E-ZPass increased from $4.00 to $5.00; Toll-by-Plate from $5.60 to $7.00
- Expected to generate $107 million annually for Delaware infrastructure
- New billing process: non-E-ZPass users passing through E-ZPass lanes now receive an invoice (not a violation) — must pay within 30 days to avoid penalties
January 1, 2026 — DRJTBC Rate Increase:
- Class 1 E-ZPass: raised 50 cents to $2.00; TOLL BY PLATE raised $2 to $5.00
- Class 2+ (per axle): E-ZPass $6.50 (+$2.00); TOLL BY PLATE $8.00 (+$3.00)
- All eight DRJTBC bridges fully cashless since January 13, 2025
- E-ZPass now used in 87% of personal vehicle transactions; 88% of commercial transactions
Delaware Memorial Bridge (DRBA) — Phase 1 April 2025:
- Cash rates increased to $6.00 (2-axle); E-ZPass rates unchanged
- Goal: drive E-ZPass adoption above 90% ahead of cashless conversion (project budgeted $21 million)
- Phase 2 — no earlier than January 1, 2027 — may affect all users including E-ZPass
- In January 2026, RiverLink (which manages Louisville-area Indiana bridges) also selected TransCore as new Toll Service Provider — no connection to Delaware Memorial Bridge but reflects regional modernisation trend
Delaware Toll Facilities Overview
I-95 Delaware Turnpike (John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway): 23-mile section of I-95 with a single toll plaza at the Newark toll station near the Maryland state line. Tolls collected both directions. The only toll plaza on I-95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia — unavoidable for north-south through traffic. No commuter discount programs.
Route 1 (Delaware's Beach Highway): North-south toll road serving the Delaware beaches. Multiple toll plazas at Biddles Corner (New Castle County) and Dover (Kent County). Weekend rates significantly higher (Friday 7 PM – Sunday 11 PM). Only Delaware-issued E-ZPass receives the lowest rates.
US Route 301 (Middletown Bypass): Cashless-only corridor. Toll gantry near the Maryland line. No cash option exists — all non-E-ZPass users are billed by plate. Opened 2019 without toll booths.
Delaware Memorial Bridge: Twin-span suspension bridge crossing the Delaware River between New Castle, DE and Pennsville, NJ. Tolled northbound (NJ to DE) only. Part of I-295 / US-40. Operated by DRBA. The walk-in E-ZPass Customer Service Center is located in the Vincent A. Julia Building adjacent to the bridge toll plaza in New Castle, DE.
Planning Your Journey
Toll-free alternatives:
- Route 13 runs parallel to Route 1 — toll-free but passes through towns with traffic lights; adds 30–60 minutes
- US-40 provides an alternative to the I-95 toll plaza — slower with traffic signals but toll-free
- Sherman Minton Bridge (I-264) and Clark Memorial Bridge (US-31) are toll-free alternatives to the Kentucky/Indiana Louisville river crossings
Scam alert: Delaware does not collect toll payments by text message. Any text claiming you owe a toll and requesting payment is a scam — do not click the link. Pay only through ezpassde.com or the official toll billing website shown on your invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my out-of-state E-ZPass in Delaware?
Yes for I-95, Delaware Memorial Bridge, and the DRJTBC bridges — all E-ZPass transponders work. However, on Route 1, only Delaware-issued E-ZPass accounts receive the lowest toll rates. Out-of-state E-ZPass users pay the same higher rate as cash payers on Route 1.
What changed with I-95 billing in August 2025?
Previously, passing through an E-ZPass lane without a transponder resulted in a violation notice. Now, you receive a plain invoice first and have 30 days to pay just the toll amount. Only if unpaid after 30 days does it escalate to a violation with additional fees.
Why are Route 1 weekend tolls so much higher?
Route 1 serves Delaware's beaches, which see heavy weekend traffic from the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC metro areas. Delaware uses higher weekend tolls (Friday 7 PM – Sunday 11 PM) to manage demand and fund beach highway maintenance.
Do motorcycles pay the same rates?
On the Delaware Memorial Bridge, motorcycles pay the same passenger vehicle toll ($4.75 E-ZPass, $5.00 other E-ZPass, $6.00 cash). On DelDOT roads, motorcycles typically pay the 2-axle vehicle rate.
Delaware vs. Neighboring States (2026)
| State | System | Tag | Typical I-95 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | I-95 plaza + Route 1 + bridges | E-ZPass (DE account best for Route 1) | $5.00/crossing (I-95) |
| Maryland | I-95, bridges, Express Toll Lanes | E-ZPass | $3–$8 (varies by facility) |
| New Jersey | NJ Turnpike, Garden State Pkwy, bridges | E-ZPass (NJ best for NJT) | $1.63–$10.66 (NJ Turnpike, distance-based) |
| Pennsylvania | Turnpike + bridges; E-ZPass + cash | E-ZPass | Most expensive US turnpike; $0.14–0.20/mile |
Useful Links & Resources
- US Toll Guide - All 37 toll states overview
- Delaware Toll Calculator - Calculate tolls for any Delaware route
- E-ZPass Delaware - Open Delaware E-ZPass account for lowest Route 1 rates
- DelDOT Toll Rate Calculator - Official I-95 toll rate lookup
- Delaware Memorial Bridge Toll Rates - DRBA official rate schedule
- DRJTBC Current Toll Rates - 2026 rates for all 8 PA/NJ Delaware River bridges
- DelDOT Community Relations: 302-760-2080 | dotpr@delaware.gov
- Delaware Memorial Bridge E-ZPass CSC: Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Thu 10 AM–6 PM | E-ZPasscorrespondenceteam@DRBA.net
