Pay Toll NY Thruway Complete Guide: E-ZPass, Rates & Payment Methods 2025
Click on the map to open toll wiki for a country/state
Pay Toll NY Thruway Complete Guide
System: Cashless tolling with E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail
Coverage: 496-mile NY State Thruway system (I-90/I-87/I-287)
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Technology: E-ZPass transponders, license plate recognition gantries
Operators: New York State Thruway Authority
Do I Need E-ZPass for NY Thruway? 2025 Update
No, you don't need E-ZPass to use the NY Thruway - but you'll save up to 75% on toll costs with one. The entire Thruway system uses cashless tolling, accepting E-ZPass and license plate billing (Tolls by Mail).
Key Reality: Without E-ZPass NY, you'll pay premium rates. A Buffalo-to-NYC trip costs $28.05 with E-ZPass NY versus $58.58 with Tolls by Mail - that's over $30 more without the transponder.
2025 Update: Complete cashless tolling across all 496 miles. NY E-ZPass customers get 75% discount on base rates, with additional incentive pricing during off-peak hours on select gantries.
NY Thruway Toll Costs: What You Actually Pay
NY Thruway operates on a distance-based system with significant discounts for E-ZPass NY users and premium rates for those without transponders.
Current Toll Rates by Payment Method (2025)
| Payment Method | Rate Per Mile | NYC-Buffalo Trip | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-ZPass NY (Standard) | $0.049 | $28.05 | 75% discount |
| Other E-ZPass States | $0.086 | $49.25 | Standard rate |
| Tolls by Mail | $0.086 | $58.58 | +$2 admin fee per bill |
| Commercial (E-ZPass NY) | Varies by class | $56-280 | 75% discount |
| Motorcycles (E-ZPass NY) | $0.037 | $21.04 | Additional 25% discount |
Special Discount Programs (2025)
Cuomo Bridge Commuter Plan: $4.05 per trip (versus $11.81 Tolls by Mail) - 20 trips/month minimum
Annual Permit Plan: $88-132 covers first 30 miles per trip for entire year
Resident Discounts: Grand Island, Westchester, and Rockland residents get additional discounts
How to Pay NY Thruway Tolls
You can use the following methods to pay NY Thruway tolls:
1. E-ZPass NY (Recommended):
- 75% discount on all Thruway tolls
- Available online at E-ZPassNY.com or 500+ retail locations
- $25 initial deposit, auto-replenishment options
- Works on all 17 E-ZPass states
2. Other E-ZPass States:
- Works on NY Thruway but no discount
- Standard rate: $0.086 per mile
- Consider switching to E-ZPass NY for savings
3. Tolls by Mail:
- License plate billing system
- Bills mailed 30-45 days after travel
- $2.00 administrative fee per billing statement
- Most expensive option - no discounts
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across NY Thruway, use TollGuru NY Thruway toll calculator
Recent Changes (2025)
Toll Rate Updates:
- January 1, 2025: Base E-ZPass NY rate increased to $0.049 per mile (from $0.045)
- Cuomo Bridge annual increases: $0.50 annual increase through 2027
- Non-NY E-ZPass rates increasing to $0.086 per mile by 2027
System Improvements:
- Enhanced license plate recognition technology
- Improved mobile payment options via Tolls NY app
- Expanded weigh-in-motion enforcement for commercial vehicles
Customer Service Updates:
- Toll Payer Advocate office expanded services
- 24/7 automated phone system improvements
- Enhanced online dispute resolution process
NY Thruway Payment Information
Main Thruway System - 496 Miles of Tolled Highway:
- NY State Thruway - Complete I-90/I-87 system information
- Tappan Zee Bridge - Mario M. Cuomo Bridge toll rates and payment
- Grand Island Bridges - North & South bridge toll information
- E-ZPass New York - Account setup and discount programs
Payment Methods by Location:
- All gantries: E-ZPass accepted (NY E-ZPass gets 75% discount)
- Tolls by Mail: Available system-wide with $2 admin fee
- Cash payment: Discontinued at all locations as of 2022
- Credit cards: Not accepted at toll gantries
Violation and Dispute Resolution:
- Toll Violations New York - Understanding and resolving violations
- Toll Payer Advocate: 1-800-333-8655 for unresolved issues
- Online dispute system: Available 24/7 for account holders
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Short trips (under 50 miles): $2-5 with E-ZPass NY
- Cross-state travel: $25-35 with E-ZPass NY, $50-60 without
- Annual commuters: Consider Annual Permit Plan ($88-132/year)
- Frequent Cuomo Bridge users: Commuter Plan saves $7+ per trip
Payment Setup:
- E-ZPass NY: Set up online before travel for immediate savings
- Rental cars: Ask about E-ZPass programs (may include daily fees)
- Multiple vehicles: Link all plates to one E-ZPass account
- Auto-replenishment: Recommended to avoid low balance fees
Toll-Free Alternatives:
- US Route 20: Parallel to I-90, adds 2-3 hours to cross-state travel
- US Route 9: North-south alternative, significantly slower
- Local roads: Available but add substantial time to any trip
- Consider time value: Toll savings rarely justify extra travel time
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay NY Thruway tolls with cash?
No, the NY Thruway is 100% cashless. You need E-ZPass or will receive a Tolls by Mail bill. Cash was discontinued at all locations in 2022.
What happens if I don't pay my NY Thruway toll bill?
Unpaid tolls result in violation notices with penalties: $50 violation fee per unpaid toll, potential vehicle registration suspension, and referral to collections after 90 days.
Do motorcycles get discounts on NY Thruway?
Yes, motorcycles with E-ZPass NY pay 25% less than cars ($0.037 vs $0.049 per mile). This stacks with the 75% E-ZPass discount.
Can I use E-ZPass from other states on NY Thruway?
Yes, but you won't get the 75% discount. Other states' E-ZPass pays standard rates ($0.086/mile). Consider switching to E-ZPass NY for regular NY travel.
Are there payment plans for large toll bills?
Yes, the Thruway Authority offers payment plans for bills over $100. Contact Customer Service at 1-800-333-8655 to discuss options.
NY Thruway vs. Other Toll Systems
| System | Payment Method | Rate Structure | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY Thruway | E-ZPass + Tolls by Mail | $0.049-0.086/mile | 75% E-ZPass NY discount |
| PA Turnpike | E-ZPass + Cash | $0.08-0.20/mile | 15% E-ZPass discount |
| NJ Turnpike | E-ZPass + Cash | $0.04-0.12/mile | 5-10% E-ZPass discount |
| Mass Pike | E-ZPass + Pay by Plate | $0.06-0.15/mile | 20% E-ZPass discount |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- NY State Thruway - Complete Thruway system rates and information
- E-ZPass New York - Account setup and discount programs
- New York Truck Tolls - Commercial vehicle rates and requirements
- Toll Violations New York - Violation resolution and payment
- Tappan Zee Bridge - Mario M. Cuomo Bridge tolls and discounts
- Grand Island Bridges - North & South bridge toll information
Official Resources:
- NY Thruway Authority: 1-800-THRUWAY (1-800-847-8929)
- E-ZPass NY Customer Service: 1-800-333-8655
- Toll Payer Advocate: 1-800-333-8655 (for unresolved issues)
- Online Account Management: E-ZPassNY.com
