At a Glance
- Pennsylvania Turnpike will raise tolls by 4% on Jan. 4, 2026.
- New mileage rate becomes $0.73 per mile; segment fee rises to $1.13.
- Passenger vehicle tolls jump from $1.86 to $1.94 for E-ZPass and $3.72 to $3.88 for Toll-By-Plate.
- Why it matters: Travelers and businesses will see higher daily costs, and the hike supports state road repairs under Act 44.
After 18 consecutive years of incremental increases, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is set to lift tolls on January 4, 2026. The 4 % hike- the smallest since 2014-will affect all users of the Turnpike and its Northeast Extension, with new rates applied across mileage, segments, and vehicle classes.
What the Hike Means for Drivers
The commission said the increase follows its approved toll schedule and will be used entirely to fund the $450 million annual Act 44 department service that repairs roads statewide. To meet this obligation, tolls are expected to rise through at least 2051 because of debt accrued from 2007-2022.
New Toll Rates
Rates will be rounded up to the nearest cent and a 4 % increase applies wherever the tolling infrastructure does not support distance-based or per-segment rates.
| Toll Type | Before (2025) | After (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage (per mile) | 7¢ | $0.73 |
| Segment fee | $1.09 | $1.13 |
| Passenger E-ZPass | $1.86 | $1.94 |
| Passenger Toll-By-Plate | $3.72 | $3.88 |
| Class-5 E-ZPass | $23.16 | $24.12 |
| Class-5 Toll-By-Plate | $46.32 | $48.24 |
For most common passenger vehicles, the E-ZPass toll will climb from $1.86 to $1.94, while Toll-By-Plate customers will pay $3.72 to $3.88. Class-5 tractor trailers will see E-ZPass rates rise from $23.16 to $24.12 and Toll-By-Plate from $46.32 to $48.24.
Future Schedule
Beyond 2026, the commission projects a 3.5 % increase in 2027 and another 3 % in 2028. Travelers can plan ahead by reviewing the updated schedule on the Turnpike website.
Key Takeaways
- 2026 toll hike marks the latest step in Pennsylvania’s long-term plan to finance road maintenance.
- All users of the Turnpike will face higher daily costs, especially those using E-ZPass or Toll-By-Plate.
- Future increases are projected for 2027 and 2028, with rates expected to rise by 3.5 % and 3 % respectively.
The 2026 toll hike marks the latest step in Pennsylvania’s long-term plan to finance road maintenance, but it also means higher costs for every trip taken on the Turnpike.
