Amanda Eustice

•

Dec 31, 2025, 6:43 PM

•

Updated

More Stories

02:35

Clockwork Commute: One Passaic County woman’s weekly journey into Manhattan

02:15

Riding the Citi Field Direct: The fastest, cheapest way to a Mets game from New Jersey

02:26

Toms River woman’s daily commute to NYC highlights long hours, rising costs

02:14

Car or train? What's the fastest and cheapest way from New Jersey to Yankee Stadium?

01:49

NJ Turnpike to open new way into MetLife Stadium aimed at reducing congestion

02:36

The Voice of the Subway: Meet Bernie Wagenblast, the person behind the MTA’s most familiar announcement

For New Jersey commuters, the new year is bringing higher costs before they even hit the road.

The state's gas tax is going up, meaning every time you pull up to the pump you're paying a little more just to keep moving.

"I don't like it. Don't like it we were just getting used to it going back down, so now it's going back up. It's kind of going backwards to me," said resident Gary Cook.

New Jersey's gas tax rate will cost 4.2 cents more per gallon in 2026.

That will make the total gas tax rate 49.1 cents per gallon, close to some of the highest in the country.

The money will be used to support the transportation trust fund, which improves infrastructure in the state.

James Guallpa, who works in construction and covers Northern New Jersey, says the rise in gas tax will impact him. He says that sometimes he fills up twice a day.

"That price adds up, and it's a major hit to us. We're just trying to make a living and gas. It's part of our job, and it takes a huge part of our profit," Guallpa said.

It's not just fuel costs that are rising.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has also approved a 3% toll increase on both the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

It's something that has happened every year since 2020.

This means drivers could be paying roughly 16 cents more on many routine toll trips this year.

For many who travel these major roadways daily, the increases add up, especially as budgets are stretched.

"Obviously, the cost of living is going up, and you know, pay wages. They're not going up, so you know it's a time where we need to come together and try to fight for what we work hard for," said Stacy Cepero, of Rosselle Park.

"That's how they get it every time, and they say that, and we have to pay it by force, yet we still don't see any change behind it. So I hope we see a bigger change, a better change this year," Cook said.

Drivers say they'll still get where they're going- they just wish it didn't cost quite so much to get there.