Drivers heading toward the Jersey Shore will soon experience a major change in how they pay to travel, as the Atlantic City Expressway officially transitions to an all-electronic, cashless tolling system. The move places the Expressway in line with a growing number of major New Jersey highways that have eliminated traditional toll booths in favor of faster, technology-driven travel.
The conversion means drivers will no longer stop to hand over cash or wait in staffed lanes. Instead, tolls will be collected through electronic systems that read E-ZPass transponders or capture license plate images for drivers without transponders. Payments will then be processed automatically, reducing congestion, shortening travel times, and improving traffic flow during peak travel periods.
Transportation officials say the shift is designed to modernize infrastructure while also improving safety by removing the need for vehicles to slow down or stop at toll plazas. Fewer bottlenecks are expected to reduce rear-end collisions and improve emergency response access, especially during busy summer weekends when traffic toward the Shore surges.
For frequent beachgoers, commuters, and visitors heading to Atlantic City, the change is expected to significantly streamline trips along one of South Jersey’s most heavily traveled corridors. Drivers without E-ZPass will still be able to use the roadway, as bills will be mailed based on license plate records, allowing for continued access without requiring a transponder in advance.
Local businesses and tourism leaders are also watching the transition closely. Faster, more reliable travel may encourage additional visitors to coastal destinations, benefiting hotels, restaurants, boardwalk attractions, and seasonal employers throughout Shore communities.
The Atlantic City Expressway’s transition reflects a broader statewide shift toward digital tolling, designed to keep pace with modern transportation demands and reduce long-term maintenance costs associated with physical toll booths and staffing.
Ongoing updates about transportation improvements, travel news, and coastal community developments can be found in Explore New Jersey’s Jersey Shore coverage, which tracks projects and policies shaping travel throughout the region. Check out the Travel Planning Section.
