LendingTree study analyzes interstate and non-interstate roads, bridges and tunnels
Virginia bridge toll $35 per mile
Published on: May 13, 2024 — LendingTree
Whether you’re a frequent commuter or an occasional traveler, tolls can quickly put a dent in your wallet. Depending on the state, you may pay much higher tolls, too.
The newest LendingTree study analyzes interstate and non-interstate roads, bridges and tunnels to determine the states with the highest average maximum fee per mile by type. We also offer tips on balancing tolls and your auto insurance bill.
Key findings
- Virginia’s maximum fee on interstate toll roads averages $3.27 a mile — significantly higher than any of the other 23 states analyzed. In fact, it’s 89.0% higher than in Pennsylvania, which has an average maximum fee of $1.73 a mile on interstate toll roads. Maine ($1.56) rounds out the top three. Conversely, Utah has the lowest maximum fee (averaging $0.03 a mile), followed by Massachusetts ($0.07) and Indiana ($0.08).
- Virginia also has the highest average maximum fee per mile for interstate bridges and tunnels. Of the 12 states analyzed, Virginia’s average maximum fee for interstate bridges and tunnels is the highest, at $7.50 a mile. That’s more than $3.00 higher than the next state, New York, at $4.38. New Jersey ranks third at $3.72 a mile, while Florida ($0.07), Maryland ($0.39) and Delaware ($0.80) finish lowest.
- Turning to non-interstate toll roads, New York and Vermont have significantly higher average maximum fees per mile among the 17 states analyzed. New York ($2.96) and Vermont ($2.50) are the only states with a maximum fee per mile that averages $2.50 or greater in this category. New Hampshire is in a distant third, at $1.09. Washington ranks lowest at a maximum fee per mile on non-interstate toll roads of $0.03, followed by Oklahoma ($0.07) and Florida ($0.16).
- For non-interstate bridges and tunnels, Michigan has the highest average maximum fee per mile at a staggering $9.58. Nebraska ($8.97) and Missouri ($8.33) follow. Overall, 11 of the 22 states analyzed here have a maximum fee per mile of higher than $5.00 for non-interstate bridges and tunnels. On the other hand, Louisiana ($0.26), West Virginia ($0.63) and Ohio ($0.63) are the only states that charge an average maximum fee of less than $1.00 per mile.
What you need to know about our study
LendingTree researchers analyzed Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data to calculate each state’s average maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile. Researchers averaged the maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile for toll roads with available information in the following categories:
- Interstate roads
- Interstate bridges and tunnels
- Non-interstate roads
- Non-interstate bridges and tunnels
Interstate roads, bridges and tunnels are part of systems that cross state boundaries. While an interstate road, bridge or tunnel might not cross a state boundary itself, it should be part of an interstate system. Meanwhile, non-interstate roads, bridges and tunnels don’t cross state boundaries.
To calculate the maximum passenger vehicle fee for roads, bridges and tunnels, researchers divided the maximum fee for passenger vehicles by the toll facility’s length (in miles). Facilities without listed maximum fees weren’t included, nor were international roads, bridges or tunnels. Only roads with maximum fees for passenger vehicles were included.
Virginia has the highest average maximum fee on interstate toll roads
Looking first at interstate toll roads, Virginia has the highest average maximum fee per mile. Here, the maximum fee averages $3.27 a mile — the only state at $2.00 or higher. That largely boils down to the Express Lane tolls on Interstate 66, where maximum fees for E-ZPass holders average $4.75 a mile during rush hour. (These Express Lanes have dynamic tolls depending on volume.) That’s the third-highest maximum fee per mile across the interstate toll roads analyzed.
Pennsylvania ranks second, with an average maximum fee of $1.73 a mile. Despite average maximum fees being 89.0% lower than in Virginia, it’s worth noting that Pennsylvania has the most expensive toll per mile in the U.S. on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
While there’s data on several sections of the turnpike, the bridge connecting the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the New Jersey Turnpike — considered an interstate toll road, per the FHWA — has an average maximum fee of $8.20 per mile. That’s the highest fee across interstate road tolls analyzed.
States with the highest/lowest average maximum passenger vehicle fee on interstate toll roads
Source: LendingTree analysis of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) toll data. Note: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated.
Maine ($1.56) rounds out the top three. Two sections of the Maine Turnpike are largely responsible for this ranking, with per-mile fees reaching $5.00 in one spot and $2.38 in another — the second- and fourth-highest averages, respectively, across interstate tolls analyzed.
How might high tolls influence drivers? According to auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt, regular toll users may be more strained financially.
These combined costs are putting significant pressure on household budgets. Unfortunately, those with the least resources are often impacted by these costs the most.
Conversely, Utah has the lowest average maximum fee per mile ($0.03) — though just one toll road was analyzed, the I-15 Express Lanes in Salt Lake City, which can account for the low fee here. This is a lengthy 71-mile road with an average maximum fee of $2.00. That’s followed by Massachusetts ($0.07 per mile) and Indiana ($0.08). Just two toll roads in Massachusetts and one in Indiana were analyzed.
All in all, 11 of the 24 states analyzed had average maximum toll fees of less than 30 cents a mile.
Toll facilities where maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile are highest and lowest, interstate road tolls
10 highest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by interstate road toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | New Jersey and Pennsylvania turnpikes bridge | Delaware River Bridge | Delaware River Bridge | $8.20 |
| 2 | Maine | Maine Turnpike | Scarborough I-95 | Portland I-295 | $5.00 |
| 3 | Virginia | I-66 Express Lanes | Fairfax County | Arlington County | $4.75 |
| 4 | Maine | Maine Turnpike | Falmouth I-495 | Falmouth I-295 | $2.38 |
| 5 | Colorado | I-70 eastbound Mountain Express Lane | U.S. 40 | SH 6 | $2.31 |
| 6 | Texas | LBJ Express (I-35E Managed Lanes) | I-35E, south of Valley View Lane | I-35E, south of Loop 12 | $2.28 |
| 7 | California | I-110 ExpressLanes | Harbor Gateway Transit Center | Adams Boulevard | $2.15 |
| 8 | California | I-880/SR 237 Express Connector | I-880 | SR 237 | $2.00 |
| 9 | California | I-10 ExpressLanes | Alameda Street/Union Station | I-605 | $1.96 |
| 10 | New York | Berkshire Section | Exit B1 (U.S. 9) | Massachusetts line | $1.88 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing.
10 lowest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by interstate road toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | Express Lanes (Salt Lake City) | U.S. 6 (Spanish Fork) | SR 126 | $0.03 |
| 1 | Maine | Maine Turnpike | Kittery | Augusta | $0.03 |
| 3 | Florida | Alligator Alley (Everglades Parkway) | East Naples | Andytown, U.S. 27 | $0.04 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | H.E. Bailey Turnpike | U.S. 62, south of Oklahoma City | U.S. 277, north of Lawton | $0.05 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | Will Rogers Turnpike | Tulsa | Missouri state line | $0.05 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | Turner Turnpike | Oklahoma City | Tulsa | $0.06 |
| 6 | West Virginia | West Virginia Turnpike | Charleston | Princeton | $0.06 |
| 6 | Maine | Maine Turnpike | Kittery | Augusta | $0.06 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | Massachusetts Turnpike | New York state line | I-93 Boston | $0.07 |
| 9 | Illinois | Tri-State Tollway | Russell Road (north terminus) | SR 394 (south terminus) | $0.07 |
| 9 | Kansas | Kansas Turnpike | Oklahoma state line | 18th Street, Kansas City | $0.07 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing. The Maine Turnpike from Kittery to Augusta includes urban and rural sections.
Virginia also has the highest average maximum fee for interstate bridges and tunnels
It’s not just interstate roads; Virginia also has the highest average maximum fee per mile on interstate bridges and tunnels. Of the 12 states analyzed, Virginia’s average fee for interstate bridges and tunnels is $7.50.
That’s based on just one tunnel: the Elizabeth River Downtown Tunnel, which is less than a mile long (the shortest of any tunnel analyzed). These high fees may be because the tunnel is operated through a public-private partnership by a private toll company, which may have fewer restrictions when setting tolls than government-operated toll roads.
New York follows, with maximum per-mile fees averaging $4.38. New Jersey ranks third, averaging $3.72 a mile. Notably, the Holland Tunnel and the George Washington Bridge have the highest maximum fees in both New Jersey and New York, averaging $10.13 and $8.51 per mile, respectively.
States with the highest/lowest average maximum passenger vehicle fee on interstate toll bridges and tunnels
Source: LendingTree analysis of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. International bridges and tunnels weren’t included.
In what ways do high tolls on bridges or in tunnels impact drivers’ auto insurance? Insurance companies assess local risk factors when determining premiums for auto insurance. High toll costs could indicate higher traffic congestion, which could lead to more accidents — which may be more severe in tunnels or on bridges. Insurers might adjust premiums accordingly to reflect the increased risk.
On the other hand, Florida finishes lowest, averaging $0.07 per mile — the only state below 30 cents. Still, it’s worth noting that just one bridge was included in our analysis: the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which has an average maximum passenger fee of $1.25. Maryland ($0.39) and Delaware ($0.80) follow. Just two tunnels in Maryland and one bridge in Delaware were included in our analysis.
Toll facilities where maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile are highest and lowest, interstate bridge and tunnel tolls
10 highest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by interstate bridge and tunnel toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey/New York | Holland Tunnel (2 tubes) | Jersey City, N.J. | New York, N.Y. | $10.13 |
| 2 | New Jersey/New York | George Washington Bridge | Fort Lee, N.J. | Manhattan, N.Y. | $8.51 |
| 3 | Virginia | Elizabeth River Downtown Tunnel | Norfolk | Portsmouth | $7.50 |
| 4 | New Jersey/New York | Goethals Bridge | Elizabeth, N.J. | Howland Hook, N.Y. | $7.27 |
| 5 | New York | Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge | Staten Island, N.Y. | Brooklyn, N.Y. | $6.67 |
| 6 | New York | Bronx-Whitestone Bridge | Bronx, N.Y. | Queens, N.Y. | $4.21 |
| 7 | New York | Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel | New York, N.Y. | New York, N.Y. | $3.81 |
| 8 | California | Carquinez Bridge (2 bridges) | Crockett, Calif. | Vallejo, Calif. | $3.75 |
| 9 | New York | Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge | Nyack, N.Y. | Tarrytown, N.Y. | $3.72 |
| 10 | New Jersey/Pennsylvania | Delaware Water Gap bridge | Hardwick Township, N.J. | Delaware Water Gap, Pa. | $3.33 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing.
10 lowest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by interstate bridge and tunnel toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | Sunshine Skyway Bridge | St. Petersburg, Fla. | Terra Ceia, Fla. | $0.07 |
| 2 | Maryland | Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (2 tubes) | East Baltimore, Md. | Elkridge, Md. | $0.33 |
| 3 | New Jersey/Pennsylvania | I-78 toll | Phillipsburg, N.J., Pohatcong Township, N.J., and Alpha, N.J. | Williams Township, Pa. | $0.44 |
| 4 | Maryland | Fort McHenry Tunnel (4 tubes) | Baltimore, Md. | Baltimore, Md. | $0.45 |
| 5 | New York | Newburgh-Beacon Bridge | Newburgh, N.Y. | Beacon, N.Y. | $0.56 |
| 6 | New Jersey/Pennsylvania | Scudder Falls Bridge (I-295) | Mercer County, N.J. | Philadelphia, Pa. | $0.68 |
| 7 | Delaware/New Jersey | Delaware Memorial Bridge | New Castle, Del. | Deepwater, N.J. | $0.80 |
| 8 | New Jersey/Pennsylvania | Walt Whitman Bridge | Gloucester City, N.J. | Philadelphia, Pa. | $0.88 |
| 9 | Michigan | Mackinac Bridge | Mackinaw City, Mich. | St. Ignace, Mich. | $0.91 |
| 10 | California | San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge | San Francisco, Calif. | Oakland, Calif. | $1.15 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing.
New York and Vermont have the highest average maximum fees on non-interstate toll roads
As for non-interstate road tolls, New York and Vermont rank first and second by a wide margin, averaging $2.96 a mile in New York and $2.50 a mile in Vermont. That makes them the only two states with average maximum fees of $2.50 or greater on non-interstate roads.
In New York, the Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway Berkshire Section is largely responsible for high average tolls, at $4.99 a mile. In Vermont, just one road included in our analysis had a maximum fee: the Burke Mountain toll road, which has an average maximum passenger fee of $2.50 a mile.
New Hampshire ranks third, at $1.09 a mile. That’s largely due to Mount Washington Auto Road, which averages $3.68 a mile — the only non-interstate toll road in the state averaging more than 40 cents per mile. Mount Washington Auto Road is the oldest man-made tourist attraction in the U.S., which may account for these heavy tolls.
States with the highest/lowest average maximum passenger vehicle fee on non-interstate toll roads
Source: LendingTree analysis of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) toll data. Note: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated.
Washington ranks lowest, with just a $0.03 maximum fee per mile on non-interstate toll roads — though just one road was included in our analysis here: the SR 167 HOT Lanes, which are express lanes with variable tolls depending on traffic conditions. Oklahoma ($0.07) and Florida ($0.16) follow.
Toll facilities where maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile are highest and lowest, non-interstate road tolls
10 highest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by non-interstate road toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway Berkshire Section | I-87 | I-90 | $4.99 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | Mount Washington Auto Road | SR 16 in Green’s Grant | Mount Washington summit in Sargent’s Purchase | $3.68 |
| 3 | California | Route 91 Express Lanes | Orange/Riverside county line | I-15 | $3.13 |
| 4 | Vermont | Burke Mountain toll road | TH 7 | Burke Mountain | $2.50 |
| 5 | New York | Whiteface Mountain Veterans’ Memorial Highway | Wilmington | Whiteface Mountain | $2.20 |
| 6 | Colorado | Pikes Peak toll road | Town of Cascade, U.S. 24, west of Colorado Springs | Top of Pikes Peak | $2.11 |
| 7 | California | SR 237 Express Lanes | Mathilda Avenue | I-880 | $2.06 |
| 8 | New York | Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway | U.S. 9 (gate) | Top of Prospect Mountain | $1.69 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | Toll Road 576 (Southern Beltway) Findlay Connector | Pittsburgh International Airport, I-376 and PA 60 | U.S. Route 22 | $1.27 |
| 10 | Colorado | C-470, Kipling to I-25 | Kipling Avenue | I-25 | $1.06 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing.
10 lowest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by non-interstate road toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | SR 167, HOT lanes | Auburn, Wash. | Renton, Wash. | $0.03 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | Chickasaw Turnpike | SH 1 near Ada | SH 7, west of Sulphur | $0.04 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | Cimarron Turnpike | I-35, east of Enid | Sand Springs | $0.05 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | Indian Nation Turnpike | I-40 near Henryetta | U.S. 70 near Hugo | $0.06 |
| 4 | New Jersey | Garden State Parkway | Montvale | Cape May | $0.06 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | Muskogee Turnpike | Tulsa/Broken Arrow | I-40 near Webbers Falls | $0.07 |
| 6 | Texas | President George Bush Turnpike | Belt Line Road, Irving | IH 30 | $0.07 |
| 6 | Florida | East-West (Dolphin) Expressway | I-95 and I-395 | HEFT | $0.07 |
| 9 | Virginia | Powhite Parkway Extension (SR 76) | Chippenham Parkway | Route 288 | $0.08 |
| 9 | Florida | Beachline East (Central Florida Expressway) | SR 520 | U.S. 1 at Cocoa | $0.08 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing.
Michigan’s average maximum fee for non-interstate bridges and tolls nears double digits
Turning to non-interstate bridge and tunnel tolls, Michigan ranks first. Here, the maximum fee per mile averages $9.58. The Grosse Ile bridge is largely responsible for this ranking: Despite being just half a mile long, the average maximum fee here is $14.00 a mile. Like the Elizabeth River Downtown Tunnel in Virginia, the Grosse Ile is privately operated, which may impact high costs here.
Following behind, Nebraska ($8.97) and Missouri ($8.33) rank second and third, respectively.
Of the 22 states analyzed, 11 average a maximum fee of at least $5.00 per mile on non-interstate bridges and tunnels. Meanwhile, five average $8.00 or higher.
States with the highest/lowest average maximum passenger vehicle fee on non-interstate toll bridges and tunnels
Source: LendingTree analysis of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. International bridges and tunnels weren’t included.
On the other hand, Louisiana ($0.26) ranks last, followed by West Virginia ($0.63) and Ohio ($0.63). Notably, these are the only states averaging maximum fees of less than $1.00 a mile.
Toll facilities where maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile are highest and lowest, non-interstate bridge and tunnel tolls
10 highest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by non-interstate bridge and tunnel toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | Dominion Boulevard Veterans Bridge | Bainbridge Point Road | Sampson Creek Road | $35.00 |
| 2 | New Jersey/Pennsylvania | Dingmans Ferry Bridge | Sandyston Township, N.J. | Dingmans Ferry, Pa. | $30.00 |
| 3 | New York | Atlantic Beach Bridge | Atlantic Beach | Reynolds Channel | $20.00 |
| 4 | New Jersey | Grassy Sound Bridge | Wildwood, N.J. | Stone Harbor, N.J. | $18.75 |
| 4 | New Jersey | Middle Thorofare Bridge | Wildwood, NJ | Cape May, NJ | $18.75 |
| 6 | New Jersey | Townsends Inlet | Townsends Inlet, N.J. | Avalon, N.J. | $14.42 |
| 7 | Michigan | Grosse Ile | Riverview, Mich. | Grosse Ile, Mich. | $14.00 |
| 8 | Kentucky/Indiana | East End Tunnel | KY 841 (not part of I-265) | KY 841 (not part of I-265) | $13.47 |
| 9 | New Jersey | Corsons Inlet Bridge | Ocean City, N.J. | Strathmere, N.J. | $13.39 |
| 10 | New Jersey/New York | Bayonne Bridge | Bayonne, N.J. | Port Richmond, Staten Island, N.Y. | $10.32 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing.
10 lowest maximum passenger vehicle fees per mile by non-interstate bridge and tunnel toll facility
| Rank | State | Toll facility | From | To | Maximum passenger vehicle fee per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | Pinellas Bayway System | St. Petersburg, Fla. | Mullet Key, Fla. | $0.05 |
| 2 | Louisiana | Lake Pontchartrain Causeway | New Orleans, La. | Mandeville, La. | $0.13 |
| 3 | Florida | Card Sound Bridge | Miami-Dade County, Fla. | Steamboat Creek, Fla. | $0.31 |
| 4 | New York | Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge | Ulster, N.Y. | Rhinecliff, N.Y. | $0.44 |
| 5 | Maryland | Francis Scott Key Bridge | Hawkins Points, Md. | Edgemere, Md. | $0.55 |
| 6 | Florida | Rickenbacker Causeway (SR 913) | Miami, Fla. | Key Biscayne, Fla. | $0.58 |
| 7 | Florida | Venetian Causeway | Miami, Fla. | Miami Beach, Fla. | $0.60 |
| 8 | California | San Mateo-Hayward Bridge | San Mateo, Calif. | Hayward, Calif. | $0.61 |
| 9 | West Virginia/Ohio | Parkersburg Memorial Bridge | Parkersburg, W.Va. | Belpre, Ohio | $0.63 |
| 10 | Louisiana | Avery Island bridge | Not available | Not available | $0.65 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of FHWA toll data. Notes: Only toll facilities in which a maximum passenger vehicle fee was available were evaluated. The chart listings are as provided by the FHWA, with light editing. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in March 2024 after a cargo ship rammed into it. The data from this study predates the collapse.
