New Jersey drivers face the second-highest toll burden of any state in the nation, paying nearly $27 in tolls for every 1,000 miles driven, according to a newly released study.

The Toll Burden Index, a comprehensive analysis conducted by Missouri law firm Beck & Beck, found motorists in the state pay an average of $26.92 per 1,000 miles, ranking second in the United States behind Delaware and far exceeding the national average. The index measures toll costs by dividing total toll revenue by vehicle miles traveled, offering a standardized comparison across states.

New York State was in third place, followed by Pennsylvania and Maryland. Connecticut, along with 22 other states, do not collect tolls from motorists.

New Jersey’s high ranking is driven in part by its extensive network of toll roads, including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway, which generate significant revenue relative to miles driven.

Tolls on almost every major New Jersey highway increased once again at the beginning of this year.

New Jersey’s high ranking is especially noteworthy considering how small the state is.

Despite the high costs, many drivers reduce their toll expenses by using E-ZPass, the region’s electronic toll collection system, which offers discounted rates compared with cash or “toll-by-mail” payments. On the Garden State Parkway, for example, E-ZPass users typically pay lower base tolls than cash drivers, while additional discounts are available for off-peak travel, frequent users and certain vehicle types.

Transportation agencies also offer targeted savings programs through E-ZPass accounts. These include about 10% discounts on off-peak tolls for seniors and drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles on the Turnpike and Parkway, as well as volume-based or frequent-user discounts on certain roadways.

At major crossings into New York City, E-ZPass users can save even more — in some cases more than 30% compared with toll-by-mail rates.

The report also highlights a broader regional pattern, with neighboring states such as New York and Pennsylvania ranking among the highest for toll burden, reflecting the concentration of tolled infrastructure in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.