Four months ago, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a five-percent toll increase for 2024. The new rates begin Sunday, January 7 and apply to E-ZPass and Toll By Plate customers. 

“As in previous years, the PTC is obligated to raise rates annually as part of its legislative mandate to provide PennDOT supplemental funding for transit systems around the state as outlined by Act 44 of 2007,” PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. “While these payments were once $450 million a year, they have been reduced to $50 million annually. However, our organization had to borrow to make those payments, which total nearly $8 billion.”

E-ZPass tolls of $1.80, the most common toll, will increase to $1.90. Toll By Plate customers will see an increase from $4.40 to $4.70. Class-5 tractor-trailer tolls will increase from $14.40 to $15.20 for E-ZPass and $29.40 to $30.90 for Toll by Plate. 

“Before we ask customers to pay higher rates, we make sure that we’re keeping our costs as low as possible,” Compton said. “It’s about fiscal restraint. We budget conservatively and consistently deliver expenses at or below those numbers.”

Because the Act-44 funding plan required borrowing by means of 30-year bonds, the PTC is obligated to increase tolls annually through at least 2053. The 5% toll-rate increase continues the Commission’s planned, multi-year reduction in annual increase rates with a goal of getting to 3% in 2028.

“We recognize that our customers pay a premium when they choose to travel on the PA Turnpike,” Compton said. “In return, we endeavor to provide a dependable, premium experience that gets our customers safely to their destinations in a timely fashion.”

E-ZPass drivers continue to receive the lowest rates across the PA Turnpike, saving nearly 60% compared to the Toll By Plate rates. 

A five-percent hike was invoked in January 2023.

For the current toll calculator, you can click here. For the news release from August, you can click here.

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