New York Drivers Set To Pay More To Travel Into New York City

The new congestion pricing has officially begun, but which areas are the affected ones and how much will you be paying to enter?

Governor Kathy Hochul's new plan to help fund the MTA is underway as of Sunday, January 5, 2025. That means that drivers entering NYC by way of Upstate New York, New Jersey and more will now be paying a premium to visit the city.

Cars will have to pay $9 between 5am and 9pm weekdays and between 9am and 9pm on the weekends. If you're entering not during those hours you pay $2.25.

This is a major financial blow to many folks who live outside of NYC who drive into work every single day. If you drive in every day that would be an extra $45 a week and that adds up to $180 a month per car.

This map shows you all the areas that will cost you when entering the city.

The official NYC.gov site has all the information on exactly how you will be charged and whether or not you will be. It looks like there's no getting around this charge either, as even side streets that would enter the congestion zone are being monitored by license plate readers.

Drivers will be charged a toll on their E-ZPass once per day when they enter the Congestion Relief Zone. This includes streets in Manhattan below 60 Street.

This is likely going to end up costing businesses more as the large trucks and buses bringing in supplies and tourists will have to pay more. Large trucks will pay $21.60 and smaller ones will pay $14.40.

There are discount programs in place for those who apply, which can be found here.

The MTA says that this money will fund upkeep and renovations to the New York City Subway system that needs it badly.