Yes, you can drive to Staten Island, but you'll cross one of three bridges and pay a toll each way

Staten Island is connected to the rest of New York City by three bridges: the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (to Brooklyn), the Staten Island Bridge (to New Jersey), and the Goethals Bridge (also to New Jersey). All three charge tolls for vehicles entering Staten Island. The Verrazano-Narrows is the most direct route from Brooklyn and Manhattan; the other two connect you to New Jersey and are faster if you're coming from the west or south.

Tolls are collected electronically through E-ZPass or by mail. If you don't have E-ZPass, the toll authority will photograph your license plate and send you an invoice. Toll amounts vary by vehicle type and time of day on some crossings, so expect to pay between $15 and $20 per crossing for a standard car, depending on which bridge you use and whether you have an E-ZPass account.

Key Takeaways

  • Three bridges connect Staten Island to Brooklyn and New Jersey, all requiring tolls paid electronically or by mail invoice.
  • The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is the main route from Brooklyn and Manhattan, while the Goethals and Staten Island bridges serve traffic from New Jersey.
  • Tolls for a standard car range from roughly $15 to $20 per crossing depending on the bridge and whether you have E-ZPass.
  • Without E-ZPass, the toll authority photographs your plate and mails you an invoice; payment is still required even if you don't receive the bill when ready.

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge: Brooklyn to Staten Island

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is the primary route if you're driving from Brooklyn, Manhattan, or anywhere in the northeastern United States. It spans 4.26 miles and connects Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood directly to Staten Island's Tompkinsonville area. The bridge has six lanes in each direction and is heavily used during rush hours, particularly in the morning heading toward Brooklyn and in the evening heading toward Staten Island.

Tolls on the Verrazano-Narrows are collected only when entering Staten Island (heading south). With E-ZPass, a standard car pays $17.76 during peak hours (weekdays 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and $15.76 off-peak. Without E-ZPass, you'll receive a bill by mail for $17.76 regardless of time of day. The toll is waived for vehicles exiting Staten Island back to Brooklyn.

The Goethals Bridge and Staten Island Bridge: New Jersey Routes

The Goethals Bridge connects Elizabeth, New Jersey to Staten Island and is the busier of the two New Jersey crossings. It's a good option if you're coming from the south or west on I-95 or the New Jersey Turnpike. The Staten Island Bridge (officially the Outerbridge Crossing) connects Perth Amboy, New Jersey to Staten Island and serves traffic from central New Jersey and points south.

Both bridges charge tolls in both directions. On the Goethals Bridge, E-ZPass users pay $16.75 for a standard car; without E-ZPass, expect a mailed invoice for the same amount. The Staten Island Bridge (Outerbridge Crossing) charges $17.50 with E-ZPass and the same amount by mail invoice. These tolls explore whether you're entering or leaving Staten Island, so a round trip costs roughly double.

Getting an E-ZPass to Save Time and Money

E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used across the Northeast. Getting one means tolls are deducted automatically from a prepaid account as you cross, and you avoid the mail invoice process entirely. You can open an E-ZPass account online through the New York MTA website or through the New Jersey toll authority, depending on which state you live in.

The account itself is free, but you'll need to purchase a transponder (the device that communicates with toll readers) for $25 to $35, depending on the type. Most accounts require a minimum prepaid balance of $25 to $100. If you cross the Verrazano-Narrows regularly, E-ZPass saves you money because off-peak tolls are lower than the standard mail rate. If you cross infrequently, the transponder cost may not pay for itself, but you'll still avoid the hassle of receiving invoices.

Driving Times and Traffic Patterns

From downtown Manhattan to central Staten Island via the Verrazano-Narrows, expect 45 minutes to an hour under normal conditions. During rush hours (weekday mornings 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and evenings 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.), the bridge often experiences heavy congestion, particularly in the southbound direction. Travel times can stretch to 90 minutes or more.

From New Jersey via the Goethals Bridge, the drive from Newark to central Staten Island typically takes 30 to 45 minutes in light traffic. The Goethals is generally busier than the Verrazano-Narrows during midday hours but experiences less severe rush-hour congestion. Check real-time traffic on Google Maps or Waze before you leave, as bridge incidents or accidents can add 20 to 30 minutes to any crossing.

Parking and Getting Around Once You Arrive

Staten Island is car-dependent; public transit is limited compared to other NYC boroughs. Most neighborhoods have free or inexpensive street parking, and many destinations have their own parking lots. If you're visiting the Staten Island Ferry terminal (which connects to Manhattan), there's a parking garage nearby, though it fills quickly during peak hours.

If you're driving to a specific destination—a restaurant, shopping area, or attraction—plan to park once and stay put rather than moving your car multiple times. Gas prices and parking availability vary by neighborhood, but you'll generally find parking easier and cheaper in Staten Island than in Manhattan or Brooklyn.

What Happens If You Don't Pay the Toll

If you cross a bridge without paying and don't receive or ignore a mailed invoice, the toll authority will eventually send a violation notice with penalties added. Unpaid tolls accumulate fines and can result in vehicle registration holds, meaning you won't be able to renew your registration until the debt is settled. If you receive a toll invoice by mail, pay it promptly to avoid these escalating penalties.

If you believe you were incorrectly charged or crossed by mistake, contact the toll authority that issued the invoice. The MTA handles Verrazano-Narrows disputes; the New Jersey toll authority handles Goethals and Staten Island Bridge disputes. Response times vary, but disputing a toll is possible if you have documentation (like a receipt from E-ZPass or proof you were elsewhere at the time).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the toll both ways when crossing to Staten Island?

On the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, tolls are only charged when entering Staten Island from Brooklyn; you don't pay when leaving. On the Goethals and Staten Island bridges, tolls are charged in both directions, so a round trip costs double.

What if I don't have E-ZPass and don't want to get one?

You can cross without E-ZPass. The toll authority will photograph your license plate and mail you an invoice. Payment is required, and ignoring the invoice results in fines and registration holds, so plan to pay when the bill arrives.

Is there a cheaper way to get to Staten Island without using a bridge?

The Staten Island Ferry runs from Whitehall Terminal in lower Manhattan to the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island and is free for pedestrians. If you don't need a car once you arrive, taking the ferry and using local transit or taxis is cheaper than paying bridge tolls.

How long does it take to cross the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge?

The actual crossing takes 10 to 15 minutes in light traffic. Total travel time from Manhattan to Staten Island depends on where you start and where you're going, but expect 45 minutes to an hour under normal conditions and up to 90 minutes during rush hours.

Can I use my E-ZPass from another state on these bridges?

Yes. E-ZPass is interoperable across the Northeast, so an E-ZPass from any participating state works on New York and New Jersey bridges. Your account will be charged the same toll rate as a local E-ZPass holder.