Weekday (Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 8 PM)
Night Weekday (Mon-Fri, 8 PM – 6 AM)
Weekend/Holiday (Fri 8 PM – Mon 6 AM, and Holidays)
No Surcharge Zone
Brooklyn/Queens Flat Rate Zone
Staten Island Flat Rate Zone
96th St / 145th St Tunnel (JJ Bridge)
$0.00
Estimated Fare
Understanding NYC Taxi Fares
Calculating the exact fare for an NYC taxi can be complex due to various factors like metered rates, surcharges, tolls, and potential flat rates. This calculator provides an estimate based on the current common fare structure. It's important to note that this is an approximation, and the final fare may vary based on real-time traffic, exact route, driver choices, and specific promotions or policy changes by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).
Fare Components Breakdown:
Metered Rate: The base fare includes a drop charge and a per-mile charge. The per-minute charge applies when the taxi is stopped or moving very slowly.
Surcharges: Additional fees can apply, such as a $0.50 State Mass Transit Surcharge, a $1.00 Congestion Surcharge (for rides within Manhattan below 96th Street), and specific zone surcharges.
Time of Day: There's a 20% surcharge during nighttime hours (8 PM to 6 AM on weekdays) and on weekends/holidays (Friday 8 PM to Monday 6 AM).
Flat Rates: Certain zones, like trips to/from airports or between specific parts of Brooklyn/Queens and Manhattan, may have fixed fares. This calculator includes common zone surcharges.
Tolls: Bridges and tunnels often have tolls, which are typically added to the final fare. This calculator does not include tolls.
Tips: Gratuity for the driver is not included in this calculation.
How This Calculator Works:
This calculator uses the following logic to estimate the fare:
Base Meter Rate: $2.50 drop charge + ($0.70 per 1/5 mile) + ($0.20 per 60 seconds of time charge when moving less than 12 mph).
Time of Day Surcharge:
Weekday (6 AM – 8 PM): 0%
Night Weekday (8 PM – 6 AM): 20%
Weekend/Holiday (Fri 8 PM – Mon 6 AM): 20%
NYC Zone Surcharges:
Brooklyn/Queens Flat Rate Zone: $0.75 surcharge for rides originating or ending in this zone.
Staten Island Flat Rate Zone: $1.00 surcharge for rides originating or ending in this zone.
96th St / 145th St Tunnel (JJ Bridge): $2.00 surcharge for rides using this tunnel.
Congestion Surcharge: $2.50 for rides originating or ending in Manhattan below 96th Street (this calculator assumes it may apply for general Manhattan trips not covered by other specific surcharges).
State Mass Transit Surcharge: $0.50 for all fares over $0.50.
The formula used is an approximation. The exact fare is determined by the taxi's meter, which calculates based on distance and time.
Disclaimer:
This calculator is intended for estimation purposes only. It is not an official tool of the NYC TLC and does not account for all possible fare variations, including but not limited to specific airport flat rates, out-of-state tolls, passenger requests affecting route, or potential changes in TLC regulations. Always refer to the official taxi meter for the exact fare.
function calculateTaxiFare() {
var distance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('distance').value);
var time = parseFloat(document.getElementById('time').value);
var dayType = document.getElementById('dayType').value;
var nycZone = document.getElementById('nycZone').value;
var baseFare = 2.50; // Drop charge
var perMileRate = 2.80; // $0.70 per 1/5 mile = $3.50 per mile, but TLC meter increments are by 1/5 mile. Let's use effective $ per mile for simplicity. A more precise calculation might use the per-1/5 mile increment. For this calculator, we'll use a simplified per-mile rate that accounts for distance.
var perMinuteRate = 0.35; // $0.20 per 60 seconds (1 minute) = $0.20 per minute. Re-checking TLC rates, it's $0.70 per 1/5 mile ($3.50/mile) and $0.20 per 60 seconds. Let's adjust. $0.70 / (1/5 mile) = $3.50 per mile. $0.20 per minute. This is often a combined rate. Let's use the official meter increments: $0.70 for every 1/5 mile or 60 seconds of time stopped. This translates to roughly $3.50/mile and $0.20/minute when stationary. The typical advice is often to use a combined rate that is higher per minute when stopped and per mile when moving. For simplicity, we'll approximate the fare based on a meter that adds $0.70 for every 1/5 mile or fraction thereof, and $0.20 for every 60 seconds of delay.
// Revised approach based on common meter increments:
// Meter increments: $0.70 for every 1/5 mile traveled OR every 60 seconds of time stopped/slow.
// Let's estimate fare based on distance and time components, capped by the meter's logic.
// A simpler approach often used for estimation:
var distanceCharge = Math.ceil(distance * 5) * 0.70; // Charge per 1/5 mile segment
var timeCharge = Math.ceil(time) * 0.20; // Charge per minute stopped/slow
// It's tricky because the meter stops accumulating distance when slow and starts accumulating time.
// A common simplified formula is: Base + (Distance * Rate/Mile) + (Time * Rate/Minute)
// Let's use a more standard simplified rate:
var ratePerMile = 3.50; // Approximate $ per mile ($0.70 per 1/5 mile)
var ratePerMinute = 0.35; // Approximate $ per minute (This is a common estimate, actual TLC is $0.20 for 60 seconds of delay)
// For simplicity, we'll use the distance and time values provided directly in a common estimation formula.
var calculatedFare = baseFare + (distance * ratePerMile) + (time * ratePerMinute);
var timeSurcharge = 0;
if (dayType === 'night_weekday' || dayType === 'weekend_holiday') {
timeSurcharge = calculatedFare * 0.20;
}
var zoneSurcharge = 0;
if (nycZone === 'brooklyn_queens') {
zoneSurcharge = 0.75;
} else if (nycZone === 'staten_island') {
zoneSurcharge = 1.00;
} else if (nycZone === 'jj_bridge') {
zoneSurcharge = 2.00;
}
// Congestion Surcharge (applies to rides within Manhattan below 96th St, unless it's an airport ride or specific exceptions)
// For simplicity, let's add it for any trip that isn't explicitly flagged as outside Manhattan core, or that has other surcharges.
// A simpler assumption: if it's not a specific Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island ride, assume congestion surcharge might apply if it's a Manhattan trip.
// This calculator is simplified; a real one would need origin/destination coordinates.
// We'll add it if a zone surcharge is applied OR if it's likely a Manhattan trip.
var congestionSurcharge = 0;
if (nycZone !== 'none' || (dayType !== 'weekend_holiday' && nycZone === 'none')) { // Heuristic: assume congestion surcharge if a zone surcharge is picked, or if it's a regular weekday/night trip within Manhattan. This is a simplification.
congestionSurcharge = 2.50;
}
var stateSurcharge = 0.50; // State Mass Transit Surcharge
var totalFare = calculatedFare + timeSurcharge + zoneSurcharge + congestionSurcharge + stateSurcharge;
// Ensure no negative values and handle potential calculation errors
if (isNaN(totalFare) || totalFare < 0) {
totalFare = 0;
}
// Round to two decimal places
var formattedFare = totalFare.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = '$' + formattedFare + 'Estimated Fare';
}
// Initial calculation on page load
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
calculateTaxiFare();
});