Do You Have to Have an Easy Pass to Drive on Henry Hudson Parkway

Download Article

Download Article

New York tolls can get really expensive. Tolls tend to rise over time, and if you have a commute every day expenses can really add up. You can find ways to avoid tolls all together by being open to alternative routes. You can also reduce the cost of tolls by carpooling more often and investing in an EZ pass. Explore alternatives to driving. You can bike or take public transportation to get out of paying tolls.

1. 1

   Learn where you can expect big tolls. This way, you'll know when you need to be vigilant about switching up your route. This is especially important if you're just getting used to a commute and need to know which roads to avoid.^{[1] [2]}

   • There are many online tools you can use to find tolls. There are websites that allow you to enter your planned route that can show you any tolls.
   • Be aware, toll prices do change. Tolls may be more expensive than posted online. On the chance you find a toll you cannot avoid, make sure to carry more cash than you need in case the toll has increased.

2. 2

   Look for toll free bridges. If you're in New York City, you may need to get between boroughs. Certain bridges in New York have hefty tolls, so opt for toll free bridges when possible. The following bridges in New York are toll free:

   • The Brooklyn Bridge
   • The Manhattan Bridge
   • The Williamsburg Bridge
   • The Queensboro Bridge

   Advertisement

3. 3

   Avoid the turnpike. If you commute into the city and use the New Jersey Turnpike, tolls can be quite high. This can be easily avoided by taking Routes 1 and 1/9, which are toll free.

   • Account for time, however. Taking Routes 1 and 1/9 may take longer than the turnpike depending on traffic. Get a time estimate using a GPS device prior to leaving your home.

4. 4

   Explore alternative routes. This is among the best ways to avoid tolls. If you can find a back road to take, or a road free of tolls, this is a great way to avoid paying hefty tolls.^[3]

   • You may be able to avoid tolls by foregoing the highway. If you can get where you're going by driving through main streets and residential areas, this may be a great way to avoid tolls.

5. 5

   Use technology to skip tolls. If you're unsure of an alternative route, make use of technology. GPS maps can help you find a toll free route, or a route with limited tolls.^[4]

   • Google Maps can be used to find a toll free routes in your area. You can select the option of finding a route without tolls.
   • Wave, another GPS app, can also be used to avoid tolls. You would simply go to "Settings," then "Navigation" and select the option "Avoid Toll Roads."

6. 6

   Make sure to account for time. While skipping toll roads can save you money, always check traffic. Routes that are toll free often run through residential areas. Traffic may be heavy, and you may hit a lot of lights. If you're driving to avoid tolls, you may want to give yourself extra time.^[5]

Advertisement

1. 1

   Carpool. If you're driving in a carpool lane, your tolls will generally be cheaper. Consider carpooling to work to avoid paying hefty tolls.^[6]

   • You can network with coworkers who live in your area. See if they would be interested in carpooling to work on a regular basis.
   • Some people pick up hitchhikers to avoid tolls. You should refrain from doing so, as toll workers may get suspicious and this can also be dangerous.

2. 2

   Invest in an E-Z Pass account and box. This is an electronic toll payment that sometimes offers cheaper rates than paying tolls directly. For example, crossing the Verrazano Bridge without an EZ pass costs $16. Crossing it with an E-Z Pass is only $11.08.^[7]

   • There are usually not specific requirements to sign up for an E-Z Pass. However, your car needs to be registered in New York.
   • E-Z pass has a variety of plans to choose from. Browse plans before settling on one to find a plan that's cost effective for you.

3. 3

   Watch out for increases in tolls. Tolls do increase all the time. Even with an E-Z Pass box, and when taking the carpool lane, you could be in for a sudden increase in price. Make sure to be vigilant when going through a toll road. Listen to how much you're being charged. If tolls go up suddenly, consider looking for an alternative route with cheaper tolls or no tolls.^[8]

Advertisement

1. 1

   Consider public transportation. If you can take a metro, train, or bus to your destination, this will usually be cheaper than taking a toll. Use Google Maps or a similar application to see how your route would look taking public transportation.^[9]

   • You usually have to get some kind of pass to take public transportation, so look into rates. Even if passes are expensive, they're usually cheaper than paying a toll every day.
   • Make sure to account for time. Public transportation usually takes longer than driving, so make sure to leave earlier than normal. Give yourself extra time in case you miss a train or a bus.

2. 2

   Try biking, if possible. It may be dangerous to bike to your destination. However, if you can bike through side streets and residential areas, this can be a great alternative to driving. In addition to saving you money, biking is eco friendly and can give you some exercise.

3. 3

   Limit your need for driving. There's a good chance you're driving more than you need to. Look into ways you can avoid driving every day, as this will result in you paying less tolls.^[10]

   • Try ordering more online. Use sites like Amazon to order items instead of driving out to a store.
   • Ask your work about telecommuting. In many jobs, you don't necessarily need to be present in the office every day. If you can telecommute some days, this will cut down on money spent on tolls.

Advertisement

Add New Question

• Question

  Is there a route to the Bronx from Queens without tolls?

  

  Jennings Li

  Community Answer

  You can go through Manhattan via Queensboro Bridge and take the FDR Drive northbound to the Willis Avenue Bridge, or the Broadway Bridge. There might be traffic, so depending on where you live, it could be better just paying the toll.

• Question

  How do I avoid tolls when driving from NY to CT?

  

  If you coming from Manhattan, take one of the Harlem River crossings in the Bronx and get on I-95 from there. If you are coming from Brooklyn, Queens, or Long Island, don't take the RFK, Whitestone, or Throngs Neck bridges. Take the Queensboro Bridge and drive the FDR north towards the Bronx. Cross at one of the Harlem River bridges and merge onto I-95 from there.

• Question

  How do you ask Google Maps to find a route without tolls?

  

  It's in settings BEFORE you select a route. Using the same menu, you can also avoid highways.

• Question

  How can I avoid tolls while driving from Manhattan to Connecticut?

  

  Take route US 1 North from Manhattan from I-87 to I-95 North. Take route US-1 to Connecticut, which ends at Port Chester, NY.

• Question

  How do I avoid the toll from Newark, NJ to Brooklyn, NY?

  

  Try taking Routes 1 or 1/9 instead of the turnpike. There are no tolls on these roads.

• Question

  How do I drive to Bronx from Brooklyn without toll?

  

  The Brooklyn Bridge does not have a toll. Try taking that.

• Question

  How do I get from Nyack to Brooklyn without going over the Tappan Zee bridge?

  

  Take the Palisades Interstate Pkwy. Take I 95 N crossing into NY, and take Exit 1 (Henry Hudson Pkwy S), keeping left at the fork. Make a left at Chamber St (half mile) to right on Centre St onto the Brooklyn Bridge.

• Question

  Can I go from Manhattan to New Jersey without paying tolls?

  

  You can try the Holland or the Lincoln tunnels, but you may not be able to go the whole way without paying tolls.

• Question

  Is there a toll crossing into Elizabeth, NJ from Staten Island, NY?

  

  Yes, the Goethals Bridge connects Elizabeth to Staten Island. The bridge has been grandfathered into Interstate 278, which serves as a major highway through both cities.

• Question

  Is there any way to get to the Bronx from NYC Manhattan without paying a toll?

  

  Take any of the non-highway roadways northward to Queen Blvd. Make a left. Take that to the Queensboro Bridge, which leads into Manhattan.

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

• When avoiding tolls, always check traffic beforehand.  Avoiding a $6.50 toll is not worth sitting in traffic for an hour.

• It appears that as of 2017, all bridges TO NY from NJ has tolls - except if you go all the way upriver to Albany. Opposite direction appears to be toll free. Internally within NY, you can avoid tolls by selecting the right roads using Google Maps.

• Typically $15 cash toll, and some time in 2017 all bridges will become cashless - impossible to pay with cash. Something to watch out for if you have a rental car as it can cause extra fees!

Advertisement

About This Article

Article Summary X

To avoid tolls when driving in New York, use online tools and GPS maps to plan your route around toll roads, when possible. For example, avoid the New Jersey Turnpike, instead opting to use Routes 1 and 1/9, which are toll free. Additionally, use the toll free bridges when going between boroughs. If you use the toll free alternatives, account for any extra time these routes will take. Alternatively, you can lower the cost of tolls by carpooling with coworkers or investing in an E-Z pass account and box. To learn how to use alternative modes of transportation to avoid paying tolls, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 254,251 times.

Did this article help you?

maastheiner.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Tolls-when-Driving-in-New-York

Share this post