An NJ E-ZPass rental car lets drivers pay New Jersey tolls without stopping at cash booths. The New Jersey E-ZPass system works on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Atlantic City Expressway, and most bridges in the region. Rental car companies give drivers three main choices: bring a personal transponder, use the company’s toll service, or pay through the Toll by Plate program after the trip.
Each option carries different costs. Personal E-ZPass accounts charge the lowest toll rates. Rental company toll services add a daily fee plus the toll amount. Toll by Plate bills the rental company, which then charges the driver a higher rate plus an administrative fee. Knowing how each path works helps travelers avoid surprise charges after they return the vehicle.
What E-ZPass Means for a Rental Car in New Jersey
E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used across 19 states. A small transponder mounted on the windshield communicates with toll plaza readers. The system deducts the toll from a prepaid account. New Jersey operates one of the busiest E-ZPass networks in the country, with cashless tolling on most major roads since 2020.
For rental cars, the same system applies. The transponder can be the driver’s own, the rental company’s, or absent entirely. When no transponder is read, a camera photographs the license plate. The toll authority then sends the bill to the registered vehicle owner, which is the rental company in this case.
E-ZPass Rental Car Fees in New Jersey
Rental car toll fees in New Jersey include three cost layers: the base toll, a service charge, and a possible administrative fee. Base tolls depend on the road and distance. Service charges come from the rental company. Administrative fees apply when Toll by Plate billing takes place.
| Road | Typical E-ZPass Toll (Passenger Car) | Cash / Toll by Plate Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway (full length) | $8.65 | $11.00 |
| New Jersey Turnpike (Exit 1 to Exit 18) | $13.85 | $18.45 |
| Atlantic City Expressway (full length) | $5.55 | $7.00 |
| Delaware Memorial Bridge (one-way) | $5.00 | $6.00 |
Rental companies often add a daily convenience fee of $3.95 to $4.95 per day of toll use. Most companies cap this charge around $30 per rental period. When a driver does not use any toll road, no daily fee applies.
How Major Rental Brands Handle E-ZPass in NJ
Each major brand runs its own toll program. Drivers should review the rental agreement before picking up the car.
Enterprise E-ZPass Rental Car NJ
Enterprise uses the TollPass service. Read about PA Fees Drivers can activate it at the counter or online. Enterprise charges a daily fee only on days the car uses a toll road. The toll itself is billed at the E-ZPass rate when the transponder reads correctly. Without a working transponder, the Toll by Plate rate applies, plus an administrative fee of up to $25 per toll violation.
Hertz Toll Pass New Jersey
Hertz offers the PlatePass system. The service activates automatically when a vehicle passes through an electronic toll lane. Hertz charges a daily convenience fee plus the toll amount. The total cost appears on the final rental invoice. PlatePass coverage extends to most E-ZPass states.
Avis and Budget E-ZPass Programs
Avis and Budget run similar toll services under the e-Toll brand. Drivers pay a flat daily fee plus the toll. The fee runs $3.95 to $4.95 per day, with a monthly cap. Both companies also charge a separate administrative fee for unpaid tolls that the brand must process through Toll by Plate.
Using a Personal E-ZPass in a Rental Car
Bringing a personal E-ZPass transponder is usually the cheapest option. The driver pays the standard E-ZPass toll rate, which is lower than Toll by Plate. No daily convenience fee applies. No administrative fee applies, as long as the transponder reads correctly at every toll point.
New Jersey and New York do not require license plate updates for passenger cars on personal E-ZPass accounts. Pennsylvania does require plate updates for out-of-state vehicles. Drivers crossing into Pennsylvania should log into their account and add the rental car’s plate, start date, and end date before the trip.
Mount the transponder behind the rearview mirror, on the inside of the windshield. The mounting area should be clean and dry. A loose or misplaced transponder can fail to read, which triggers Toll by Plate charges.
For accounts and balance checks, drivers can visit the NJ E-ZPass official website to log in, view recent tolls, or add funds.
New Jersey Turnpike Rental Car Tolls
The New Jersey Turnpike charges by entry and exit point. A full-length trip from Exit 1 (Deepwater) to Exit 18 (Secaucus) costs $13.85 with E-ZPass or $18.45 with Toll by Plate. The Turnpike operates fully cashless since 2020. No cash booths remain. Drivers must use E-ZPass, a rental company toll service, or pay later through Toll by Plate.
Exit-only trips cost less. For example, Exit 1 to Exit 6 costs about $3.40 with E-ZPass. Exit 14 to Exit 18 costs around $2.55 with E-ZPass. Travelers should check their planned route before driving to estimate the toll cost.
Garden State Parkway Toll Rental Car
The Garden State Parkway runs 172 miles from Cape May to the New York State line. A full-length trip costs $8.65 with E-ZPass or $11.00 with Toll by Plate. The Parkway also went cashless in 2020. All tolls are collected electronically.
Off-peak discounts apply for E-ZPass holders on certain Parkway sections. Drivers with cars that get 45 MPG or higher may qualify for green vehicle discounts. Account holders should check the NJ E-ZPass discounts page for the latest offers.
Atlantic City Expressway and Other Toll Roads
The Atlantic City Expressway connects the Philadelphia area to Atlantic City. A full-length trip costs $5.55 with E-ZPass or $7.00 with Toll by Plate. The road also operates cashless tolling. Rental car drivers passing through should expect a charge for each direction traveled.
Other toll facilities in New Jersey include the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Commodore Barry Bridge, the Betsy Ross Bridge, and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Most accept E-ZPass. Each facility has its own toll rate. Rental car drivers should confirm coverage with their rental brand before driving across state lines.
NJ E-ZPass Customer Service and Rental Car Inquiries
Drivers can contact NJ E-ZPass customer service for account questions, transponder issues, or Toll by Plate invoices. Phone support runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The automated line handles balance checks and payment confirmations. Live agents help with disputes and account updates.
- Phone: 1-888-AUTO-TOLL (1-888-288-6865)
- Website: www.ezpassnj.com
- Mail: NJ E-ZPass Customer Service Center, PO Box 52005, Newark, NJ 07101
- Walk-in Centers: Newark, Cherry Hill, and Woodbridge (hours vary by location)
How to Pay Tolls on a Rental Car Without E-ZPass
Drivers without an E-ZPass can still use New Jersey toll roads. Three methods work:
- Rental company toll program: Activate the service at the rental counter. Pay the daily fee plus tolls on the final invoice.
- Toll by Plate: Drive through toll points without a transponder. The rental company receives the bill and charges the driver later, often with an added administrative fee.
- Cashless billing through NJ E-ZPass: Use the NJ E-ZPass Pay Toll Now feature on the website to pay a Toll by Plate invoice directly and reduce the cost.
Paying through NJ E-ZPass Pay Toll Now before the rental company processes the toll can save $10 to $15 per toll in administrative fees.
E-ZPass Violation and Dispute Process for Rental Cars
Violations occur when a vehicle passes through a toll without a working transponder and the rental company fails to match the plate. Rental drivers see these charges as a violation fee plus the original toll. Most companies charge $25 to $30 per violation in addition to the toll amount.
To dispute a charge, drivers should contact the rental company first. Each brand has a toll dispute department. The driver can also contact NJ E-ZPass directly to pay the original toll and request a waiver of the rental company’s administrative fee. Documentation such as E-ZPass account statements, receipts, and rental agreements speeds up the process.
Tips to Avoid Extra Toll Charges on a Rental Car
- Bring a personal E-ZPass transponder when traveling through New Jersey.
- Mount the transponder correctly on the windshield before driving.
- Add the rental car’s license plate to the E-ZPass account when traveling through Pennsylvania.
- Check the rental agreement for daily toll fees and administrative charges before driving off the lot.
- Use route-planning apps like Waze or Google Maps to estimate toll costs before the trip.
- Pay Toll by Plate invoices directly through NJ E-ZPass to reduce administrative fees.
- Return the rental car with enough time to settle any outstanding toll bills.
Rental Car Unlimited Tolls Option in NJ
Some rental companies offer an unlimited toll package. The driver pays a flat fee for the rental period and uses any toll road as many times as needed. Daily rates range from $9.99 to $14.99 depending on the company. This option works for drivers who plan to cross multiple toll roads each day. For short trips with one or two tolls, the daily fee plus toll option costs less.
E-ZPass Flex and Rental Cars
E-ZPass Flex is a special transponder used for HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes. New Jersey does not operate E-ZPass Flex on most toll roads, but the system exists in other states. Rental car drivers should not use a Flex transponder in a standard toll lane, as the settings may not match the vehicle class and can trigger violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions drivers ask about NJ E-ZPass rental car use. Ohio Mobile App Login Each answer covers a specific cost, policy, or process to help travelers plan their trip with fewer surprises.
1. Can I use my personal E-ZPass in a rental car in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey allows personal E-ZPass transponders in rental cars. Mount the transponder on the windshield as usual. The toll deducts from your personal account at the standard E-ZPass rate. New Jersey and New York do not require license plate updates for personal accounts. Pennsylvania does require plate registration before crossing its toll roads.
2. What happens if I forget to pay a toll in a rental car?
The toll plaza camera captures the license plate. The toll authority bills the rental company. The rental company pays the toll, then charges the driver an administrative fee of $15 to $30 plus the original toll amount. Paying directly through NJ E-ZPass Pay Toll Now before the rental company processes the bill can lower the total cost.
3. How much does Enterprise charge for tolls in NJ?
Enterprise charges a daily convenience fee of $3.95 on days the car uses a toll road. The fee is capped at around $30 per rental period. The toll itself is billed at the E-ZPass rate. If a transponder is not active, the Toll by Plate rate applies plus an administrative fee of up to $25 per toll violation.
4. Does Hertz include tolls in the rental price?
No. Full Ohio Sign Up Article Hertz charges separately through the PlatePass service. The daily fee runs $4.95 for each day a toll road is used. The toll amount is added at the E-ZPass or Toll by Plate rate, depending on transponder use. The total appears on the final rental invoice.
5. Can I dispute a toll charge from a rental car company?
Yes. Contact the rental company’s toll dispute department first. Provide the rental agreement, E-ZPass account statement, and any receipts. You can also contact NJ E-ZPass customer service to pay the original toll directly and request removal of the administrative fee. Disputes filed within 30 days of the charge have the highest success rate.
6. Is it cheaper to bring my own E-ZPass or use the rental company’s toll program?
Bringing a personal E-ZPass is cheaper in most cases. The driver pays only the E-ZPass toll rate with no daily fees. The rental company’s toll program adds $3.95 to $4.95 per day, which can add up to $30 over a week-long rental. For travelers without a transponder, the rental program offers convenience at a higher total cost.
7. Does NJ E-ZPass work on the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway?
Yes. NJ E-ZPass works on every toll road in the state, including the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Atlantic City Expressway, and all major bridges. Cashless tolling is in effect statewide, so all tolls must be paid electronically through E-ZPass, a rental toll program, or Toll by Plate billing.