Drivers and commercial carriers using the crucial Windsor-Detroit corridor will need to dig deeper into their pockets starting in the new year. The private owners of the Ambassador Bridge have confirmed another toll increase, marking a continued upward trend in the cost of crossing this vital international link.
New Toll Rates for 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, the base fare for a one-way trip for cars, motorcycles, and buses will climb from $12 CDN to $14 CDN. For those paying in American currency, the cost rises from $9 US to $10 US.
The hike extends to other vehicle classes. The toll for passenger vehicles or motorcycles towing a trailer will jump from $24 CDN to $28 CDN (or from $18 US to $20 US). Commercial traffic is also affected, with the per-axle rate for vehicles equipped with an A-Pass or E-Z Pass increasing from $14 US to $15 US. Those without an account will pay $20 US per axle.
Additionally, the bridge's escort service for oversized loads will see a fee increase, moving from $125 US to $135 US.
A Decade of Rising Costs
This latest increase continues a significant long-term trend. The cost of crossing the Ambassador Bridge has more than doubled over the past ten years. Back in 2013, following an increase that year, the toll for a passenger vehicle was a flat $5, whether paid in Canadian or U.S. funds.
For context, the competing Windsor-Detroit Tunnel currently charges $8.25 US for passenger vehicles traveling from Detroit to Windsor, and $7.75 CDN for the reverse journey. Bus fares are $11.75 US and $11.25 CDN, respectively.
New Competition on the Horizon
This round of toll increases arrives at a pivotal moment for cross-border traffic in the region. The publicly funded Gordie Howe International Bridge, after experiencing repeated delays, is now anticipated to open in early 2026.
The new span, overseen by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) on behalf of the Canadian government, is poised to become the Ambassador Bridge's first major publicly-owned competitor in decades. The WDBA has not yet announced what the toll structure will be for the Gordie Howe Bridge, leaving a key question for frequent cross-border travelers and the logistics industry.
The impending arrival of this significant infrastructure project adds a new dynamic to the market, potentially influencing future pricing strategies for both crossings as they vie for commercial and passenger traffic.