Tolls Increasing Sunday On 8 Delaware River Crossings Connecting Pennsylvania, New Jersey

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- The cost to cross the Delaware River is getting higher. A toll hike on eight river crossings will take effect on Sunday.

It's that time of year. More people are on the streets, taking road trips, but now, that also means shelling out more cash. Gas prices are up, and starting Sunday, so are tolls.

Those traveling between Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, heads up, toll hikes go into effect for the eight Delaware River crossings on Sunday.

"Things are a struggle now as it is," Gary Spatola of Haddonfield said.

This is the first time in 10 years for a system-wide increase. According to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, these changes are needed to offset the decline in toll revenue due to COVID-19.

"It's not even like that the pay has gone up, no," Amanda Ota of Vineland said.

It's going to cost you a whole lot more if you pay cash.

For example, a passenger vehicle equipped with E-ZPass may see a 25-cent increase, so their toll will jump to $1.25, but a cash operator will go from paying $1 to $3.

"I think we need to just stay in Jersey instead of going anywhere," Ota said.

The river crossings are Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1), New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202), I-78, Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22), Portland-Columbia (Routes 611, 46, and 94), Delaware Water Gap (I-80), and Milford-Montague (Route 206) bridges.

Not everyone has that choice.

Those filling up at the pump will notice a difference in price compared to last year.

The pandemic had most people quarantined, so with an abundant supply, prices were cheaper.

Also, now that we're easing our way out of colder temperatures, the type of gas we use also changes.

"Summer blend gasoline is more expensive to produce," AAA spokesperson Jana Tidwell said.

Summer is right around the corner. Though there will be more cars on the road, the hope is that prices won't skyrocket.

"We expect gas prices will likely hold relatively steady through the summer months," Tidwell said, "but that will all change if something happens to impact the price of crude oil."

AAA says as the price for crude oil continues to decrease, so will the price at the pump.

For drivers taking toll bridges, the commission suggests getting an E-ZPass to save on cash.