Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel tolls are $16 off-peak or $21 during peak weekends for a standard passenger vehicle.
For a standard passenger vehicle, how much is toll for Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel travel comes down to the day: $16 off-peak or $21 during designated peak weekends. Drivers using E-ZPass can reduce an eligible return crossing within 24 hours to $6 off-peak or $1 during peak pricing.
That discount creates an unusual result. A qualifying car round trip completed within 24 hours costs $22 in either season: $16 plus $6 off-peak, or $21 plus $1 during peak pricing. Without the return discount, two standard one-way tolls cost $32 off-peak or $42 during a peak weekend.
How Much Does A Standard Car Pay?
A Class 1 passenger vehicle pays $16 for one off-peak crossing and $21 for one peak-season crossing. Class 1 includes most passenger cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks, station wagons, and vans with 15 or fewer seats.
A two-axle, six-tire vehicle also fits Class 1 when it is less than 8 feet high. A taller two-axle, six-tire vehicle moves into Class 9 and pays $23, so RV and work-truck owners should check height and tire count rather than assuming the passenger-car rate applies.
- Ordinary one-way car trip: $16 off-peak or $21 at peak.
- Eligible E-ZPass return within 24 hours: $6 off-peak or $1 at peak.
- Thirty-trip commuter rate: $7 per crossing after the stated usage threshold is met.
The 24-Hour E-ZPass Return Discount
The discounted return rate applies only when a Class 1 driver uses E-ZPass and crosses back within 24 hours. Cash and credit-card customers can pay the regular toll, but the posted discounts require E-ZPass.
The 24-hour clock matters more than the calendar date. A driver who crosses late in the day can still qualify the next day as long as the return occurs inside the 24-hour window. A return after that window is charged at the ordinary one-way rate in effect at the time of crossing.
Cost check: A same-day or overnight Class 1 round trip is $22 with the eligible E-ZPass return discount, whether the first crossing falls under off-peak or peak pricing.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Toll Rates By Vehicle
Vehicle class determines the toll once a vehicle has extra axles, a trailer, greater height, or commercial weight. The table below shows the posted initial-crossing rates and the discounted return rate where the schedule lists one.
| Vehicle Class | Initial Crossing | Posted Return Discount Or Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 passenger vehicle | $16 off-peak; $21 peak | $6 off-peak; $1 peak |
| Class 2 with one-axle trailer | $22 | $12 |
| Class 3 with two-axle trailer | $26 | $16 |
| Class 4 with three-axle trailer | $31 | $21 |
| Class 9 tall two-axle, six-tire vehicle | $23 | No return discount listed |
| Class 10 three-axle vehicle | $28 | No return discount listed |
| Class 11 four-axle vehicle | $37 | No return discount listed |
| Class 12 five-axle vehicle | $48 | No return discount listed |
| Class 13 six-axle vehicle | $57 | No return discount listed |
| Class 14 or 15 bus | $40 | No return discount listed |
| Class 16 special over-dimension vehicle | $266 | Prior approval required; escort rules apply |
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District posts vehicle descriptions, discounts, and seasonal dates on its official toll schedule. The posted schedule is the safest place to confirm an unusual RV, trailer, bus, or commercial configuration before departure.
When Does Peak Pricing Apply?
For 2026, peak pricing applies from 12:00 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday on weekends from May 15 through September 13. All other dates and times use off-peak pricing.
Monday through Thursday remains off-peak during the summer period unless the district publishes a change. A Thursday crossing followed by a Friday return can involve different posted one-way rates, but an eligible E-ZPass return within 24 hours follows the return-discount schedule.
- Peak: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the published summer window.
- Off-peak: Monday through Thursday in that window, plus all dates outside it.
- Holiday planning: Check the official schedule before travel because toll policies can change.
Payment Methods And Discount Rules
The toll plazas accept cash, E-ZPass, and major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. The district also lists scrip as an accepted payment method.
E-ZPass is not required for an ordinary crossing, but it is required for every posted discount. Drivers seeking the 24-hour return rate or the frequent-traveler rate should confirm that the transponder is mounted correctly and the account has enough funds before reaching the plaza.
The 30-in-30 commuter program charges $7 for eligible Class 1 crossings after the same transponder records the required number of one-way trips during the prior 30 days. The lower rate begins once the threshold is reached; it is not applied retroactively to earlier trips.
Budgeting A Round Trip
A traveler making a normal car round trip should budget $22 with E-ZPass when both crossings occur within 24 hours. A longer trip requires two regular one-way tolls, so the total is $32 when both crossings are off-peak or $42 when both fall during peak pricing.
A mixed-timing trip can cost $37 without a discount: one $16 off-peak crossing and one $21 peak crossing. Trailer totals differ because the initial and return rates rise with the number of trailer axles.
- Identify the vehicle class, including trailer axles and vehicle height.
- Check whether each crossing falls inside the 2026 peak weekend window.
- Decide whether the return will occur within 24 hours.
- Use E-ZPass if the trip qualifies for a posted discount.
What To Check Before You Drive
Most car drivers only need to confirm the travel day and whether the return is inside 24 hours. RVs, trailers, oversized vehicles, and vehicles carrying compressed gas need a closer review of classification and operating rules.
Special over-dimension vehicles may require prior approval and an escort fee. The district asks drivers in that class to call ahead, and its schedule lists a maximum permitted width of 14 feet. Weather and wind restrictions can also affect high-profile vehicles even when the road remains open to ordinary cars.
Your Likely Toll Total
For one crossing in a normal car, plan on $16 off-peak or $21 during a 2026 peak weekend. For a return within 24 hours, use E-ZPass and plan on $22 total; for a longer round trip, budget two full one-way tolls based on the day and time of each crossing.
Drivers towing a trailer should use the axle-based table rather than the passenger-car figure. Tall six-tire vehicles, buses, heavy trucks, and over-dimension vehicles fall into separate classes, so a few minutes spent checking the official vehicle description can prevent an incorrect estimate.
References & Sources
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District.“Toll Schedule, E-ZPass, & Travel Info.”Lists current vehicle-class tolls, E-ZPass discounts, payment methods, and 2026 peak-season dates.