What Tolls Will I Pay Driving From Baltimore to New York?

The I-95 corridor from Baltimore to New York includes six major tolled facilities. Expect to pay between $35 and $50 in tolls depending on your vehicle type and which route you take. The Maryland Toll Facility (I-95 north of Baltimore), Delaware tolls, and the New Jersey Turnpike account for most of this cost. Exact charges vary by toll method: paying cash at booths costs more than using E-ZPass transponders available in all three states.

Understanding the Toll Road Network

The most direct route follows I-95 north, which passes through three states with different toll agencies. Maryland's toll authority manages the facility from Baltimore to the Delaware border. Delaware has two tolls on I-95. New Jersey Turnpike Authority operates the longest toll section, extending from the Delaware state line nearly to the George Washington Bridge.

Vehicle classification matters significantly. Standard passenger cars pay less than tractor-trailers or vehicles towing trailers. If you're driving a truck or RV, your toll costs will be substantially higher.

Maryland Tolls

The I-95 toll plaza sits at the Patuxent River just north of Baltimore. As of 2024, cash payment at this single facility is approximately $2.50 for a two-axle vehicle. E-ZPass customers in Maryland pay the same or sometimes less depending on time of day, as the Maryland Transportation Authority operates congestion pricing on some routes (though the main I-95 northbound toll does not currently use variable pricing).

The transaction is quick. Most drivers pass through in under a minute. If you're renting a car in Baltimore and taking it to New York, the rental company may charge you a processing fee for toll facility use unless you've purchased a separate toll pass.

Delaware Tolls

Delaware has two toll plazas on I-95: one at the Maryland border and another at the Pennsylvania border. Each costs roughly $2.00 to $2.50 per axle for a standard vehicle when paying cash. E-ZPass users pay slightly less. Delaware also offers a toll discount program for frequent travelers; check the Delaware Department of Transportation website for current enrolled user rates if you plan multiple trips.

Cash toll booths operate 24 hours, though some lanes close during off-peak hours. E-ZPass lanes run continuously.

New Jersey Turnpike Tolls

The New Jersey portion is the longest and most expensive. Tolls from the Delaware border to the northern end near the George Washington Bridge total roughly $16 to $18 for a two-axle vehicle paying cash. E-ZPass users pay approximately $13 to $15 for the same trip. Payment can be made at service plazas with toll booths, or increasingly through open-road tolling using transponders.

New Jersey Turnpike Authority accepts E-ZPass transponders from Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. If you have an E-ZPass from any of these states, you do not need a separate transponder for New Jersey.

Choosing a Payment Method

E-ZPass is the single most cost-effective choice if you have time to obtain one before your trip. Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey all participate in the national E-ZPass network. You can order a transponder through any state's toll authority or through a regional consolidator. Processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days, though some agencies offer expedited shipping for an additional fee.

Cash payment is an option at all facilities but comes with a premium. You must have sufficient bills; not all toll booths accept credit cards.

Rental car companies sometimes provide pre-arranged toll collection through their own systems. Ask when you book whether tolls are included in your rate or if you'll be charged a convenience fee separately. Some companies charge a per-toll processing fee (often $3 to $5 per facility) on top of the actual toll amount.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Arriving at a toll booth without sufficient cash or a transponder can be stressful, though toll authorities are increasingly using license plate recognition technology to bill drivers retroactively. However, this process takes weeks and typically includes an administrative fee. Bring cash or verify your E-ZPass status before departing Baltimore.

Do not assume tolls are the same in both directions. Some toll roads charge only northbound or only southbound; I-95 in this corridor charges in both directions, but rates may differ slightly depending on peak periods.

If you're unfamiliar with merging at high-speed toll plazas, take an exit before the toll to review the signage. The New Jersey Turnpike plazas can be confusing during heavy traffic.