It’s official—2025 is bringing some painful price hikes for New Jersey drivers and commuters.
If you are hoping for some relief after the holiday season, it’s time to check your wallet again. Starting January 1, the state’s gas tax is going up by 2.6 cents per gallon.
That means you’ll now pay 44.9 cents for every gallon of gasoline you pump and 51.9 cents for diesel.
While the extra pennies might not seem like much, it all adds up if you’re filling up regularly.
This increase is part of a 2024 law aimed at gradually boosting the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.
That fund is used to finance the upkeep and improvement of New Jersey’s roads, highways, and bridges.
So, while your gas bill might be a little higher, consider it a small price to pay for smoother roads and safer commutes in the future.
But if you thought gas was the only thing getting more expensive, think again.
Starting January 1, tolls across New Jersey are rising once again.
This marks the fifth consecutive year that toll rates are going up on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway, with a 3% increase, meaning you’ll be coughing up around 16 extra cents each time you pass through a toll booth.
This is part of a plan set in motion back in 2020 that automatically raises tolls every year.
And suppose you’re heading into New York from January 5.
In that case, E-ZPass users crossing New York/New Jersey Port Authority bridges and tunnels will pay an additional 25 cents—bringing the total toll on the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, and other major crossings to $16.06.
But you can forget about cash payments. The days of paying with cash at these crossings are long gone.
Drivers without an E-ZPass will now receive tolls by mail, which is probably the least convenient option.
For those of you who rely on public transit, the news isn’t much better. The PATH train fare will rise from $2.75 to $3 starting on January 12.
It’s only a 25-cent increase, but when combined with rising tolls and gas prices, 2025 will naturally be a more expensive year for getting around.
But let’s not forget about the bigger picture here. All these increases are part of New Jersey’s long-term plan to improve infrastructure.
The extra funds generated from higher gas taxes and tolls are supposed to help pay for much-needed road repairs and upgrades.
And that doesn’t make the sting of higher prices any easier to swallow.
Starting January 5, New York City will roll out its much-talked-about congestion pricing tolls.
If you’re driving into Manhattan during peak hours, be prepared to fork out $9 just to enter the city. Off-peak hours won’t be as bad, but you’ll still pay a $2.25 toll.
So, whether you’re driving or hopping on a train, you’ll be paying more to get around in 2025.
New Jersey’s Governor, Phil Murphy, has already expressed his frustration with these rising tolls, particularly the new congestion pricing in New York, which he argues will place an unfair burden on New Jersey commuters.
While the tolls may be here to stay, the cost of getting around the region is going up—and not just a little.
All in all, 2025 is bringing a wave of cost increases for drivers and commuters in New Jersey.
So, while these changes are meant to improve the state’s infrastructure, it’s safe to say many will be feeling the pinch as they pay more to travel across the Garden State and beyond.
