Alternatives to the George Washington Bridge: Compare NJ-NY Crossings (2026)
Every Hudson River crossing compared by toll cost, travel time, and convenience. Find the best route for your trip or daily commute.
Last updated: March 2026 | All tolls are one-way, eastbound/inbound only
All NJ-NY Crossings Compared
Side-by-side comparison of every crossing near the George Washington Bridge. Tolls shown for passenger cars (2026 rates).
| Crossing | E-ZPass | Toll-by-Mail |
|---|---|---|
George Washington Bridge N/A (baseline) | $13.75 peak / $11.75 off-peak | $16.00 |
Lincoln Tunnel ~7 miles south | $13.75 peak / $11.75 off-peak | $16.00 |
Holland Tunnel ~12 miles south | $13.75 peak / $11.75 off-peak | $16.00 |
Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee) ~15 miles north | ~$5.69 | ~$6.83 |
Bear Mountain Bridge ~40 miles north | Free | Free |
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge ~55 miles north | ~$2.15 | ~$3.00 |
Goethals Bridge ~25 miles south | $13.75 peak / $11.75 off-peak | $16.00 |
Bayonne Bridge ~20 miles south | $13.75 peak / $11.75 off-peak | $16.00 |
Outerbridge Crossing ~30 miles south | $13.75 peak / $11.75 off-peak | $16.00 |
All Port Authority crossings (GWB, Lincoln, Holland, Goethals, Bayonne, Outerbridge) share identical toll schedules. See full rate table.
Lincoln Tunnel: Same Toll, Better for Midtown
The Lincoln Tunnel connects Weehawken, New Jersey to Midtown Manhattan, emerging near 39th Street and 10th Avenue. It carries three tubes with a combined capacity of six lanes and handles roughly 42 million vehicles per year. Because it is operated by the same Port Authority that runs the GWB, the tolls are identical: $13.75 E-ZPass peak, $11.75 off-peak, and $16.00 Toll-by-Mail.
The Lincoln Tunnel is the better choice if your destination is Midtown Manhattan. Drivers heading to Times Square, Penn Station, or the West Side will arrive more directly than they would from the GWB, which deposits you in Washington Heights at the northern tip of Manhattan. The trade-off is that the Lincoln Tunnel approaches (Route 495 and the Helix) are notorious for congestion, particularly during morning rush.
Holland Tunnel: Downtown Access, No Trucks
The Holland Tunnel connects Jersey City, New Jersey to Lower Manhattan near Canal Street. It carries two tubes with four lanes total and is the narrowest of the three Port Authority Hudson River crossings. Tolls are the same as the GWB and Lincoln Tunnel.
This crossing is ideal for drivers heading to Downtown Manhattan, SoHo, TriBeCa, or the Financial District. One important restriction: the Holland Tunnel prohibits commercial trucks. Passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and small vans are permitted, but any vehicle classified as a commercial truck must use the GWB or Lincoln Tunnel instead.
Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee): Lower Toll, Extra Distance
The Cuomo Bridge, which replaced the old Tappan Zee Bridge in 2017, crosses the Hudson River about 15 miles north of the GWB. It connects South Nyack (Rockland County) to Tarrytown (Westchester County) on the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287). The E-ZPass toll is approximately $5.69, and Toll-by-Mail is about $6.83.
At roughly $8 less per crossing than the GWB, the Cuomo Bridge offers significant savings for commuters who can accommodate the detour. However, this crossing does not bring you into Manhattan. You would need to continue south on local highways or take Metro-North from Tarrytown to reach the city. For destinations in Westchester, Connecticut, or upstate New York, the Cuomo Bridge is often the more logical choice regardless of toll savings.
Bear Mountain Bridge: Free but Far
The Bear Mountain Bridge crosses the Hudson about 40 miles north of the GWB, near the Bear Mountain State Park. It is completely free. The catch is the distance: a driver starting in Bergen County, New Jersey would need to travel about 40 additional miles each way, adding roughly 45 to 60 minutes of drive time depending on traffic.
As a daily commuting alternative, the Bear Mountain Bridge is impractical for most GWB users. The extra fuel and time costs far exceed the toll savings. However, for occasional weekend trips to the Hudson Valley or Catskills, Bear Mountain offers a scenic, toll-free route that avoids congestion around the GWB entirely.
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge: Low Toll, Hudson Valley Access
Located about 55 miles north of the GWB, the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge carries I-84 across the Hudson. The E-ZPass toll is approximately $2.15, and Toll-by-Mail is about $3.00. This crossing is most relevant to drivers traveling along the I-84 corridor between Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
For GWB commuters, the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge is too far north to serve as a practical daily alternative. But for long-distance trips or weekend travel, it offers a very affordable crossing with significantly less congestion than anything near the New York metro area.
Southern Port Authority Crossings: Goethals, Bayonne, Outerbridge
The three southern Port Authority crossings connect New Jersey to Staten Island. The Goethals Bridge (Elizabeth to Staten Island), Bayonne Bridge (Bayonne to Staten Island), and Outerbridge Crossing (Perth Amboy to Staten Island) all charge the same tolls as the GWB: $13.75 E-ZPass peak, $11.75 off-peak, and $16.00 Toll-by-Mail.
These crossings are not practical alternatives for most GWB users unless your destination is Staten Island or Brooklyn (via the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island). They add considerable distance and travel time for Manhattan-bound drivers. However, trucking companies originating from central or southern New Jersey sometimes use the Goethals or Outerbridge to reach Brooklyn without passing through Manhattan.
Break-Even Analysis: When Does a Cheaper Crossing Save Money?
The key question for any alternative crossing is whether the toll savings outweigh the extra fuel and time costs. Here is a practical calculation for the most common scenario, comparing the GWB to the Cuomo Bridge.
GWB route: Starting from northern Bergen County, NJ. GWB E-ZPass peak toll: $13.75. Direct route, no extra mileage.
Cuomo Bridge route: Drive north on I-87 to the Cuomo Bridge. Toll: $5.69. Extra distance: approximately 20 miles round trip. Extra fuel cost at $3.50/gallon and 28 mpg: about $2.50 round trip. Extra time: 20 to 30 minutes round trip.
Net savings per crossing: $13.75 minus $5.69 minus $1.25 (half of fuel) = approximately $6.81 per eastbound crossing. Over 260 working days, that is roughly $1,770 per year. If you value your time at $25/hour, the extra 25 minutes costs about $10.42 per round trip, which would actually make the detour a net loss. The break-even point depends entirely on how you value your time and where exactly you start from.
Public Transit Alternatives
Driving is not the only way to cross the Hudson. Several public transit options serve the same corridor as the George Washington Bridge, often at a fraction of the cost.
Public Transit Options
Compare public transportation alternatives to driving across the GWB.
| Mode | Cost | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| NJ Transit Bus (Route 156, 171, 175, 178) | ~$4.25 one-way | 30-60 min to Port Authority |
| NJ Transit Rail + PATH | ~$5.50-$10.00 combined | 45-75 min total |
| PATH Train | $2.75 per ride | 15-25 min Hoboken to 33rd St |
| NY Waterway Ferry | ~$9.00 one-way | 10-15 min crossing |
| Metro-North + Cuomo Bridge area | ~$10-$15 one-way | 45-60 min to Grand Central |
NJ Transit bus service is the most direct public transit substitute for driving across the GWB. Routes 156, 171, 175, and 178 depart from towns in Bergen County, cross the George Washington Bridge, and deliver passengers to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. A one-way fare is approximately $4.25, with discounted monthly passes available. Compared to the bridge toll alone ($13.75 E-ZPass peak) plus Manhattan parking ($25 to $60 per day), the bus saves commuters thousands of dollars per year.
The PATH train, operated by the Port Authority, connects New Jersey to Manhattan via tunnels under the Hudson. Stations in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Newark link to 33rd Street, 23rd Street, 14th Street, and the World Trade Center in Manhattan. The fare is $2.75 per ride. While PATH does not directly serve the GWB corridor, commuters in Bergen County can drive or take NJ Transit to Hoboken and transfer to PATH.
NY Waterway ferry service runs from Edgewater and Weehawken, NJ to piers in Midtown Manhattan. The crossing itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and fares are approximately $9.00 one-way. Ferries offer a scenic, stress-free alternative that avoids both bridge and tunnel traffic entirely. Service runs primarily during weekday rush hours, with reduced weekend schedules.
Choosing the Right Alternative
The best alternative to the George Washington Bridge depends on three factors: your origin, your destination, and how much you value your time versus money. For daily commuters headed to Midtown, NJ Transit buses across the GWB are often the most cost-effective option. For drivers heading to Westchester or Connecticut, the Cuomo Bridge saves $8 per crossing. For those traveling to Downtown Manhattan, the Holland Tunnel or PATH train from Hoboken may be the most direct route.
There is no single crossing that is universally better than the GWB. Each alternative involves trade-offs between cost, time, convenience, and destination access. Use the information on this page to evaluate which crossing fits your specific situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest alternative to the George Washington Bridge?
The cheapest vehicular crossing near the GWB is the Bear Mountain Bridge, which is free. However, it is about 40 miles north and adds significant drive time. The most practical lower-cost alternative is the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee), about 15 miles north, with an E-ZPass toll of approximately $5.69, saving you roughly $8 per crossing compared to the GWB.
Is the Lincoln Tunnel cheaper than the George Washington Bridge?
No. The Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge have the same toll rates because both are operated by the Port Authority of NY & NJ. The E-ZPass toll is $13.75 peak or $11.75 off-peak, and Toll-by-Mail is $16.00 at both crossings. The choice between them depends on your destination in Manhattan, not the toll cost.
Is it worth driving to the Tappan Zee Bridge to save on tolls?
It depends on where you start and where you are going. The Cuomo Bridge toll is about $8 less than the GWB. If the detour adds 15 to 20 miles of driving, you will spend roughly $3 to $5 on extra fuel. For a daily commuter, the net savings of $3 to $5 per crossing could add up to $750 to $1,250 per year, but only if the extra time is acceptable.
Can I take public transit instead of driving across the GWB?
Yes. NJ Transit operates several bus routes that cross the George Washington Bridge and deliver passengers to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. A one-way bus fare is approximately $4.25, far less than the bridge toll plus parking. PATH trains and NY Waterway ferries offer additional options from other parts of northern New Jersey.
Which crossing is best for trucks?
The George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel accept all truck sizes. The Holland Tunnel prohibits commercial trucks entirely. The Cuomo Bridge, Goethals Bridge, and Outerbridge Crossing also handle commercial traffic. For trucks heading to the Bronx or New England, the GWB remains the most direct route.
How does NYC congestion pricing affect the choice of crossing?
NYC congestion pricing applies to vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street. If you cross the GWB and stay in upper Manhattan or continue to the Bronx, you avoid the congestion charge. If your destination is Midtown or Downtown, the Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel may trigger the congestion charge. However, a toll credit is available for drivers who pay Port Authority tolls.