At a Glance
- Gas tax in New Jersey rises to just over 49¢ on Jan. 1.
- Tolls on major roads jump 3% on Jan. 4.
- Atlantic City Expressway switches to cashless electronic tolling, adding a $13.98 fee for non-E-Z Pass users.
- Why it matters: Drivers will pay more for fuel and travel, and many will face higher toll costs without an E-Z Pass.
New Jersey motorists are bracing for higher costs as the state’s gas tax and tolls increase at the start of the year.
Gas Tax Increase
On New Year’s Day, a more than four-cent-per-gallon hike pushed the state gas tax to just over 49¢.
Tracy Noble said:
> “We do have to pay for aging roads and bridges. Our infrastructure is critical and we have so much of it here in New Jersey.”
Toll Hikes and Cashless Transition
Tolls on the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Atlantic City Expressway will rise 3 % on Sunday, Jan. 4.
- Garden State Parkway: 3 % increase
- New Jersey Turnpike: 3 % increase
- Atlantic City Expressway: 3 % increase
Maria Vallieres of Ardmore, Pa. said:
> “It discourages you from traveling. And that’s not good.”
The Atlantic City Expressway will become cashless, using electronic tolling only; drivers without E-Z Pass will be billed by mail at double the price: $12.98 for the full length plus a $1 invoice fee per bill, bringing the total to $13.98.
Karen Hutchings of the South Jersey Transportation Authority said:
> “To do toll-by-plate for customers, it costs us a lot more money to have that transaction run through our system.”
Officials report that about 90 % of Atlantic City Expressway drivers already have E-Z Pass.
The Delaware River Joint Bridge Commission is raising toll rates to $2 for passenger vehicles and $5 for drivers without E-Z Pass on eight toll bridges this year.
Key Takeaways
- Gas tax now exceeds 49¢ per gallon.
- All major toll roads increase by 3 %.
- Cashless Atlantic City Expressway adds a $13.98 fee for non-E-Z Pass users.
These changes mean drivers in New Jersey will pay more for fuel and travel, especially those who have not adopted electronic tolling.
