Toll costs can vary considerably across the country, especially for commercial trucks traveling through states with extensive toll highway systems. The expense can be substantial on longer routes, and the amount charged is not always the same for trucks using electronic toll accounts and those paying by other methods.

Some of the highest commercial toll charges are found along major freight corridors in the Northeast and Midwest. Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New Jersey have particularly costly routes, while crossings around New York City can add another significant expense. The 2026 rates provide a closer look at these charges and the differences that matter for trucking companies and owner-operators.

Commercial Truck Toll Rates in 2026

All four examples cover five-axle tractor-trailers. The tolls reflect the specific trips listed, with Pennsylvania carrying the highest total charge among these routes.

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Crossing Pennsylvania can come with a substantial toll bill, particularly when a trip includes the main turnpike and its Northeast Extension. A five-axle tractor-trailer traveling from the Gateway area near Ohio to the S.R. 903 interchange faces a $235.60 E-ZPass charge. Without E-ZPass, that same trip costs $471.20.

The state increased tolls by 4% in January 2026, continuing its annual rate adjustments. Although the increase affects all vehicle types, the dollar difference is more noticeable on expensive commercial trips.

Pennsylvania’s payment system also creates one of the largest savings opportunities in this comparison. E-ZPass cuts the Toll By Plate charge in half, while qualifying customers who enroll in automatic payments can receive a 15% discount on their monthly Toll By Plate invoices.

Those savings are particularly relevant for carriers that regularly use the turnpike. The difference between payment methods becomes much more significant over repeated trips than it would on an occasional short section of toll road.

Indiana Toll Road

A full trip across northern Indiana costs a five-axle tractor-trailer $91.30 in cash or $91.37 electronically under the rates effective July 1, 2026. The highway stretches approximately 157 miles between the Chicago area and the Ohio state line.

Most of that expense comes from the eastern portion of the road. Traveling between Portage and the eastern end costs $85.60 in cash, compared with $5.70 for the western section.

Unlike Pennsylvania, Indiana does not offer a substantial electronic-payment advantage on this route. Cash is actually seven cents cheaper for the full trip, a small difference that makes the payment method far less important than the distance traveled.

For freight moving between Chicago and destinations farther east, the Indiana Toll Road may also be followed by additional toll highways in Ohio or Pennsylvania. Each has its own rates, which can make the combined cost of a multi-state trip considerably higher.

New Jersey Turnpike

Commercial traffic moving through New Jersey encounters another expensive toll corridor, particularly on trips connecting the southern end of the turnpike with the New York metropolitan area.

Traveling from Interchange 1 to Interchange 18W costs a five-axle tractor-trailer $78.55 at the cash rate. The standard E-ZPass charge is $71.66, dropping to $68.08 for qualifying New Jersey E-ZPass customers during off-peak hours.

The state’s peak pricing adds another consideration for carriers serving the region. Weekday peak periods run from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with weekend travel also subject to peak rates.

A truck entering outside those periods may qualify for the lower rate if it uses an eligible New Jersey E-ZPass account. The discount is not automatically available to every E-ZPass customer, even when the transponder is accepted for payment.

The turnpike also serves major freight destinations, including port facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers. Its tolls can therefore be a recurring expense for operations making frequent deliveries in northern New Jersey.

Ohio Turnpike

Ohio provides another important east-west connection, but its 2026 rates show how the direction of travel can affect the final charge.

A five-axle tractor-trailer traveling westbound across the full 241-mile turnpike, from Pennsylvania toward Indiana, pays $74.00 using cash or a credit card. With E-ZPass, the charge is $58.75.

The same full trip eastbound costs $62.75 by cash or credit card and $49.75 with E-ZPass. The difference comes from how tolls are collected at the Eastgate Toll Plaza near the Pennsylvania border.

Ohio increased toll rates by 2.7% at the beginning of 2026. For five-axle commercial vehicles, the turnpike’s stated rate is 22.6 cents per mile with E-ZPass and 28.4 cents per mile using cash or credit, with additional toll-plaza charges affecting certain trips.

Unlike Indiana, Ohio offers a meaningful electronic-payment discount. The savings are especially noticeable on longer trips, where the difference between payment methods can exceed $10.

New York’s Expensive Commercial Vehicle Crossings

Not every costly toll is attached to a long stretch of highway. Around New York City, commercial vehicles can face substantial charges for crossing a single bridge or tunnel.

The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is one example. Its 2026 rates include a $123.06 charge for a five-axle commercial vehicle without a qualifying New York E-ZPass account. Eligible New York E-ZPass customers pay $35.16 during off-peak periods or $70.32 during peak periods.

The difference is particularly significant for commercial traffic making repeated crossings.

Other major routes into New York City, including the George Washington Bridge, also carry commercial tolls. Trucks traveling through the area may encounter several separate charges depending on their route, and not every bridge or tunnel permits the same types of commercial vehicles.

These crossings are separate from the long-distance turnpikes in the comparison. Their high charges over relatively short distances make them an additional expense for regional freight operations.

How Commercial Toll Discounts Differ

The rates across these states show that electronic toll payment does not guarantee the same savings everywhere.

Pennsylvania offers a 50% discount through E-ZPass compared with Toll By Plate. Ohio also charges less for E-ZPass customers, while Indiana’s cash and electronic rates are nearly identical for a full five-axle trip.

New Jersey and New York have additional restrictions on certain discounted rates. An E-ZPass transponder issued in another state may be accepted for payment without qualifying for the lowest available commercial toll.

Some carriers use toll management providers or commercial account programs to handle charges across multiple states. The available discounts depend on the toll authority, account eligibility, and any enrollment requirements.

For owner-operators paying toll expenses directly, those differences affect the cost of operating a route. Company drivers generally follow their employer’s toll payment arrangements, although the charges remain part of the carrier’s overall transportation expenses.

Finding Toll Rates for Specific Truck Routes

The toll charged for a particular trip depends on the highway, entry and exit points, vehicle configuration, and payment account. Official calculators allow those details to be entered before a trip.

• Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Calculator
• Indiana Toll Road Toll Rates
• New Jersey Turnpike Toll Calculator
• Ohio Turnpike Toll Information
• New York State Thruway Toll Calculator

Pennsylvania carries the largest total toll in this comparison, with a particularly steep difference between E-ZPass and Toll By Plate. Indiana’s full-route charge is substantial despite offering little difference between payment methods, while Ohio and New Jersey provide discounts that depend on how and when a truck travels.

For regular toll-road users, knowing the applicable rates and account discounts can make a measurable difference in transportation expenses throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do commercial truck tolls increase with the number of axles?

Generally, yes. Toll authorities commonly charge more for vehicles with additional axles. Trucks with six or more axles may fall into higher-priced categories than conventional five-axle tractor-trailers.

Are toll charges different for loaded and empty tractor-trailers?

The toll roads discussed here generally classify standard tractor-trailers by axle count, vehicle height, or configuration rather than whether the trailer is loaded. Other toll facilities may use different methods.

Can owner-operators deduct toll expenses?

Tolls incurred during qualifying business travel are generally deductible business expenses under applicable federal tax rules. Owner-operators should retain payment records and account for any reimbursements.

Does E-ZPass provide the same discount in every state?

No. E-ZPass is accepted by participating toll agencies, but certain discounts require an account issued by the particular authority or enrollment in an eligible commercial program.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: November 9, 2026