Tolls are going up on the PA Turnpike for the 14th year in a row

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) approved another significant toll increase that will go into effect in early 2022.

On July 6, the PTC approved a 5% toll increase for 2022 for both E-ZPass and Toll By Plate customers traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The toll increase will be effective on the entirety of the Turnpike except for the Southern Beltway (PA Turnpike 576) west of Pittsburgh.

According to the PTC, the most common toll for a Class-5 tractor trailer will increase from $13 to $13.70 for E-ZPass and from $26.60 to $28 for Toll By Plate users.

The toll increase will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on January 2, 2022.

The PTC has been required to make a $450 million annual payment to PennDOT under 2007’s Act 44. However, starting next year, the PTC will only be required to pay PennDOT $50 million per year, with $400 million of funding to come from the Commonwealth’s Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax.

“Today’s action is the first time in six years that the rate of increase is under 6%,” explained PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Starting in July 2022, our transit funding requirement to PennDOT under Act 44 of 2007 will be cut to $50 million annually. Finally, we are seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel. In addition to breathing a huge sigh of relief ourselves, it enables us to begin to offer some relief to customers from those heftier toll increases and refocus on essential improvements to our roadway.”

The PTC has made payments to PennDOT since 2007 and has increased the toll rates every year since 2009 in order to make the payments. During that 14 year period, the PTC has paid PennDOT $7.45 billion in toll-backed funding.

You can click here to access a PA Turnpike toll calculator for more info on how much you can expect to pay.