PA Turnpike Tolls To Increase For 19th Consecutive Year

PENNSYLVANIA — It's been an annual rite of summer for nearly two decades. In July, Pennsylvania Turnpike commissioners set toll rates for the coming year and the rates inevitably rise.

It happened again on Tuesday, when turnpike commissioners unanimously approved a 3.5 percent toll increase effective January 3. It will be the 19th consecutive year tolls have risen on the road.

Here's how the increases will be implemented:

Tolls are calculated per segment and distance traveled across the entire system. The increase moves the per-mile rate from $.073 to $.075 and the segment fee from $1.13 to $1.17.

Toll rates round up to the nearest penny.

On all other extensions, where the tolling infrastructure doesn't support a per-segment and distance traveled rate, the increase will be a straight 3.5 percent hike to existing trips.

The turnpike blames the constant toll increases on Act 44, which the state legislature approved in 2007. The legislation obligates the commission to fund statewide ground transportation systems in addition to turnpike operations.

Turnpike officials said the agency has provided $8.1 billion for public transportation systems across the state since the law was enacted.

Paying Act 44-related debt service drives the annual toll increases, turnpike officials said. According to a blog on the turnpike website, before the legislation was enacted, tolls had risen on the turnpike five times in 64 years.

Despite the impact of Act 44, turnpike officials say that the turnpike maintains toll rates that are middle of the pack as compared to other U.S. toll roads, bridges and tunnels. They contend that based on 2026 rates, the Pennsylvania Turnpike passenger car rate was 10.5 percent below the national average.

Turnpike officials reminded drivers that they can save 50 percent can save 50 percent on tolls with E-ZPass, the most cost-effective way to travel the turnpike. PA Turnpike. More than 85 percent of turnpike motorists use E-Z Pass to travel on the road.

The turnpike also has expanded its methods for paying the tolls by accepting payment through Google and Apple Pay. Cash payment for Toll By Plate invoices or E-ZPass account fund additions is accepted through KUBRA, a nationwide network of more than 75,000 retail locations.

Customers also can budget ahead for tolls with the PA Toll Calculator, which provides a predictable bill before they hit the road.