New Jersey drivers are getting hit in the wallet again. Drivers will soon pay more in tolls when crossing the New Jersey Turnpike.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority on Tuesday approved a 3% toll increase starting in 2025.

"This could be a triple whammy for a New Jersey driver. He takes the turnpike; he pays the higher toll. He takes the crossing to New York and pays the Port Authority toll. Then, if he's going south of 60th Street, he pays the congestion fee,’ says Steve Carrellas, of the New Jersey Motorists Association.

This will be the fifth year for the 3% hike since the spending plan was approved back in 2019. When it was introduced, the Turnpike Authority said the rate would increase "up to" 3% each year. But each year, it's been 3% exactly. It hasn't said when the annual price hikes would stop.

According to the budget plan, higher tolls will help in navigating economic conditions like inflation and fuel costs. It also outlines plans for $1.6 billion in capital projects, including repairs and enhancements.

"I understand their need, but I have no idea how that's calculated to find out what percentage that they come up with that they charge us," said Carrellas.

An extra 3% may not seem like much now, but Carrellas says he's concerned for the future if tolls continue to rise.

"This is going to be an election issue next year in the gubernatorial race because people are tired of it,” he said.

Carrellas added that from 2019, toll rates will have doubled on the turnpike by 2034 and on the Garden State Parkway by 2036.