EZPass/Toll questions- nj and ny

[Goofygirl17]

That's the info I found earlier but it looks like all the locations are right near NYC and we're taking 287 to avoid the traffic in the city. I wish I could find one in NY on our way but I haven't yet.

Do you know if there are any other than on GSP that we might pass? I don't know the names of the towns so I found a website that maps all the retail locations- but all the ones I saw were in the city.

If I don't see one sooner I'll stop at the rest area on the GSP and get one.

Thanks!
Goofygirl

 

[meriface11]

yes, you have to cross the Hudson at some point to get to NJ...take 84 to 684 to 287 (which brings you over the Tap). after you cross over the Tap, you can take the exit for the GSP, which takes you to montvale. or you can take 287 to the end and get on 17 South to the GSP, which would save you on at least one toll, but is longer, so you would spend more than that on gas I bet. These intermittent tolls are anywhere from $.35 to $1 all the way down to the connection to the Turnpike (which is a ticket system, so you just pay when you get on).

as a previous poster mentioned, the GSP doesn't work on a ticket system. more specifically, you pay intermittent tolls every 10 miles or so, not just at the beginning and/or end of the Parkway, SO, the EZ Pass really saves you time because you won't get stuck waiting at toll plazas all the time.

from MA, you can also go over the GWB, which is shorter than taking the Tap to the GSP to 95. PM me if you want some directions on how to do this without the typical crazy traffic of going straight on 95. I can send you through Westchester instead of straight through the Bronx which is much better traffic wise.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have come down on the expressways south from Westchester (actually went through Yonkers) and as I got near the George Washington Bridge, got stuck in horrendous traffic that way too. It's all the traffic trying to get on the bridge itself that was the jam.

Seems it is luck, not science, that determines whether 95 through the Bronx is faster.

If you actually go via Westchester, you're already headed for the Tappan Zee and you've already traveled somewhat circuitously.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

I-95 south over New York border.
Get on I-287.
Get on Hutchinson River parkway south.
Get on Cross County parkway west, forsaking the Whitestone Bridge fork.
Get on I-87 Deegan expway south
Follow signs for GWB.

 

[meriface11]

I have come down on the expressways south from Westchester (actually went through Yonkers) and as I got near the George Washington Bridge, got stuck in horrendous traffic that way too. It's all the traffic trying to get on the bridge itself that was the jam.

Seems it is luck, not science, that determines whether 95 through the Bronx is faster.

If you actually go via Westchester, you're already headed for the Tappan Zee and you've already traveled somewhat circuitously.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

I-95 south over New York border.
Get on I-287.
Get on Hutchinson River parkway south.
Get on Cross County parkway west, forsaking the Whitestone Bridge fork.
Get on I-87 Deegan expway south
Follow signs for GWB.

it's probably too late for the OP as she has already left for VA Beach, but in case you are interested, instead of getting on 87 south, if you go a little bit further on 287E and take the Saw Mill South towards NYC, you can get on the GWB this way and there is typically far less traffic than via 87 (and you bypass Yankee Stadium traffic if you happen to be traveling on a game day). You do have to pay a small toll to cross from the Bronx, but IMO it's worth it to avoid 95 or 87 and still take the GWB instead of the Tap.

 

[barb007]

NJ charges a monthly $1 fee for the EZ Pass - we used to have one for NJ - was annoyed w/the charge considering how much taxes we pay to this state, so we closed out our NJ EZ pass & went w/EZ Pass in PA, no monthly fee.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

NJ charges a monthly $1 fee for the EZ Pass - we used to have one for NJ - was annoyed w/the charge considering how much taxes we pay to this state, so we closed out our NJ EZ pass & went w/EZ Pass in PA, no monthly fee.

The Wikipedia article about E-Z Pass lists all of the issuers and what it costs to get the transponder and whether there is a montlhy fee. In most cases you don't have to be a resident of the area where the toll authority is located in order to have "their" E-Z Pass. For instance, I live in Florida but have an E-Z Pass issued by the Peace Bridge Authority in Buffalo, NY. It was free to get and free to use.

The article is at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Z_Pass

BobK/Orlando