Truck operators using Sydney’s toll road network are being urged to check updated prices, with tolls rising across several key motorway routes from 1 July.
The increases apply to privately owned toll roads, including the Hills M2, NorthConnex, Westlink M7, M5 South-West, Lane Cove Tunnel, Military Road E-Ramp, Cross City Tunnel and Eastern Distributor.
Tolls on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel will also rise by 3.25 per cent, which the NSW Government said is below the CPI inflation rate of 4.0 per cent for the 12 months to 31 May 2026.
While the Government announcement refers broadly to motorists, the changes are also relevant to heavy vehicles and commercial fleets that rely on tolled routes for access to ports, warehouses, distribution centres, construction sites and urban delivery zones.
Which toll roads matter most for trucks?
For freight operators, the most relevant toll roads are those that connect industrial areas, intermodal corridors and motorway links across Sydney.
NorthConnex remains an important heavy vehicle route between the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga and the Hills M2 at West Pennant Hills.
The NSW Government toll schedule lists Class B tolls at $31.91 on NorthConnex and up to $31.91 at the Hills M2 North Ryde mainline toll point.
Westlink M7, a key freight corridor between the M5 at Prestons, the M4 at Eastern Creek and the M2 at Baulkham Hills, lists Class B tolls at 157.57 cents per kilometre, capped at $31.50.
The M5 South-West, which connects Beverly Hills and Prestons, lists a Class B toll of $18.19.
How do Class B tolls affect freight operators?
Many trucks fall into Class B, depending on route-specific tolling rules.
On several major toll roads, Class B vehicles are generally those that exceed Class A dimensions, often above 2.8 metres in height or 12.5 metres in length.
As a result, heavy vehicles typically pay higher tolls than passenger vehicles.
These toll increases can compound other cost pressures, including fuel, labour, maintenance, insurance and compliance.
The increase may be small on a single trip, but it can become more significant over repeated daily movements, across multi-vehicle fleets, and under fixed customer contracts.
What relief applies to trucks?
The NSW Government has highlighted its broader toll relief measures for motorists, including a temporary reduction of the weekly toll cap from $60 to $50 for 12 months.
For truck operators, the more freight-relevant measure is the Truck Multiplier Rebate.
The NSW Government says the rebate is designed to encourage trucks to use toll roads rather than local roads and to reduce the cost of transporting goods for customers.
Eligible Class B vehicles receive a rebate of one-third of their trip on the M5 East and M8.
The trial began on 1 January 2024 and has been extended until December 2026.
Eligible vehicles include NSW and interstate Class B registered vehicles that travel on the M5 East and M8 with a valid E-Toll, Linkt or Eastlink account.
What should operators do now?
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray encouraged road users to check new prices online before the financial year begins.
“A range of tolls increase on 1 July, and we encourage motorists to check the new prices online before the new financial year begins,” Murray said.
Truck operators should review regular toll road use by route, vehicle class and customer contract.
Fleet managers may need to check whether existing freight rates, fuel levies or accessorial charges properly recover toll costs, particularly for repeat metropolitan movements.
Operators using the M5 East and M8 should also confirm that eligible Class B vehicles are attached to a valid toll account so the Truck Multiplier Rebate can be applied automatically.
The toll increases are another reminder that Sydney freight costs are shaped not only by fuel and labour, but also by the price of access to the city’s motorway network.