Toll Rates to Rise in Several States in 2025

Starting in January, various states including Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York will experience toll rate increases ranging from 3% to 15%. The New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will see a modest 3% increase, while a 5% hike is set for Pennsylvania drivers beginning January 5. This shift includes changes in toll classifications, moving from weight-based to axle and height-based methods, benefiting some passenger vehicle drivers while likely increasing costs for commercial users. The Ohio Turnpike will implement a more complex toll structure based on axle numbers, with average tolls for passenger vehicles rising by 7.7%. The highest increase is in Oklahoma, with tolls set to jump 15% across the state’s system, along with automatic increases every two years to keep pace with inflation. Additionally, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will increase tolls by 25 cents for various vehicles effective January 5 and plans for further annual increases through 2028. The elimination of truck volume discounts will also occur, leading to higher costs for and potentially affecting commercial transportation patterns. This wave of toll increases largely aims to generate revenue for maintaining and improving critical infrastructure, which has become vital in the wake of pandemic losses. In the transportation field, this can be seen as a potential strain on commercial logistics that may prompt companies to reevaluate their routes or consider alternative transportation options, such as rail or localized distribution networks, to mitigate higher costs. The focus on improving infrastructure is essential, but it also underlines the importance of ensuring that these costs do not disproportionately burden commercial transporters, which are crucial for economic recovery and growth.