One Of America's Most Expensive Toll Roads Costs $1.25 Per Mile

Americans use over 5,000 miles of toll roads across the country. That adds up to more than 5 billion tolled trips every year, according to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association. While most toll locations charge relatively low fees — the Connecticut Mirror reports that interstate toll roads usually cost drivers about 6 cents per mile – one scenic mountain highway in New York's Adirondacks throws reasonable pricing out the window.

The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway in New York is the most expensive toll road in America, charging a steep $1.25 per mile, according to CarInsurance.org. This 8-mile route climbs New York's fifth-highest peak and costs $25 per vehicle and driver, with a second passenger costing $20, and each additional passenger costing $10. For a car with three people, you're looking at $55 total — or $6.87 per mile.

New York's Thruway system runs under 5 cents per mile for E-ZPass users, and even Virginia's dynamic pricing express lanes — a form of congestion pricing – maxes out around $4.75 per mile during rush hour. Whiteface, however, operates on another level entirely, so travelers should double-check the full costs ahead of time to avoid making money mistakes while traveling.

The high toll rates on Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway are not random — they are to cover repair costs. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, the highway hadn't experienced a major repair overhaul since the 1960s, despite winter storms and freeze-thaw cycles crumbling road shoulders, surfacing, and retaining walls. Plus, the road's engineering complexity added another layer of costs. The five-mile paved road rising 2,300 feet to the summit of a 4,867-foot mountain required extensive stone retaining walls and specialized drainage to prevent landslides and washouts. These un-checked damages required an estimated $12 million worth of repairs in 2013 – funds that were well beyond the capacity of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, the agency responsible for maintain the highway, without instituting higher toll revenues. 

While the highway already collected tolls, as of 2013, the toll rates were decidedly lower — $10 per vehicle and driver, and $7 per each additional passenger — and officials stated the income wasn't enough to cover the costs of repair. Especially considering the highway served just 28,500 vehicles, or 72,000 annual visitors in 2013, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. This meant that increasing toll revenues would ultimately translate to a much higher per-user share.

The high toll costs associated with White Mountain has led some travelers to seek other, more cost-saving options. According to the Olympic Regional Development Authority, visitors can choose the Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport, which, as of 2025, cost $69 for adults and includes one-time admission to White Mountain highway, the Cloudsplitter Gondola, and four Olympics venues. The passport, as detailed by ORDA, can save guests up to 50% compared to paying for each attraction separately, and the Family 4-Pack, at $225, covers two adults and two children — making it a smart choice for anyone hoping to stick to their set vacation budget amount.

If you want to skip the hassle of the drive , Whiteface Mountain started a new summer shuttle service in 2025 that runs from the base lodge to the summit. The shuttle isn't part of the Legacy Sites Passport, and costs $15 per person for everyone age 7 and over. While the toll rate itself doesn't budge, you can save in other ways. Timing a visit during shoulder seasons, for example, can make the traffic more manageable. With that said, the highway runs from mid-May 19 to mid-October, so going in late May or early October can help you catch lower hotel rates and avoid large summer crowds.