The Bay Bridge toll is a per-crossing charge collected by the Bay Area Toll Authority, currently $6.15 for most passenger vehicles during off-peak hours and $7.15 during peak hours

The Bay Bridge connects San Francisco and Oakland. Every vehicle that crosses it in either direction pays a toll — there is no free crossing. The amount you pay depends on the time of day, your vehicle type, and whether you have a FasTrak account (the electronic payment system) or pay by mail after the fact.

If you cross without a FasTrak account, the bridge takes a photo of your license plate and sends you an invoice by mail. You then have 21 days to pay. If you do not pay, penalties and late fees accumulate. Setting up FasTrak before you cross avoids this process and usually saves you money per crossing.

Key Takeaways

  • Passenger vehicle tolls are $6.15 off-peak and $7.15 peak on the Bay Bridge, with peak hours running 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
  • FasTrak is an electronic account that charges your toll automatically; without it, the bridge photographs your plate and mails you an invoice within days.
  • You can set up FasTrak online, by phone, or at a retail location, and you fund it by adding money to your account in advance.
  • Motorcycles, trucks, and recreational vehicles pay different rates — check the Bay Area Toll Authority website for your specific vehicle type.
  • If you receive a toll notice in the mail and do not pay within 21 days, late fees and penalties begin to accumulate.

Peak and off-peak toll rates and when they explore

The Bay Bridge uses congestion pricing, meaning the toll changes based on traffic volume. Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays only. During those windows, a passenger vehicle pays $7.15. Outside those hours — including all day Saturday and Sunday — the toll is $6.15.

Motorcycles pay a flat $3.50 regardless of time. Trucks and recreational vehicles pay higher rates that vary by axle count; a two-axle truck pays $9.15 peak and $8.15 off-peak, for example. The Bay Area Toll Authority publishes a full rate table on its website if your vehicle does not fit the standard passenger car category.

These rates change periodically. The toll authority typically announces increases in advance, and they take effect on a set date each year. If you cross regularly, checking the official website once or twice a year keeps you current.

How FasTrak works and why it saves money

FasTrak is an electronic toll collection system. You open an account, link it to a payment method, and install a small transponder (a device about the size of a matchbox) on your windshield. When you cross the bridge, the transponder communicates with readers at the toll plaza, and the toll is deducted from your account automatically. You never stop, never wait in a toll booth, and never receive a paper invoice.

FasTrak saves money because the toll is slightly lower than the plate-based rate. A FasTrak passenger vehicle pays $6.00 off-peak and $7.00 peak — 15 cents less per crossing than paying by mail. Over time, that adds up. You also avoid late fees if you forget to pay a mailed invoice.

You can open a FasTrak account online at the Bay Area Toll Authority website, by calling their customer service line, or at a retail location like a grocery store or pharmacy in the Bay Area. You will need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) and a California address. The transponder itself is free; you only pay for the tolls you cross.

Paying by mail if you do not have FasTrak

If you cross the Bay Bridge without a FasTrak transponder, a camera photographs your license plate. Within a few days, the Bay Area Toll Authority mails you an invoice to the address registered with your vehicle's registration. The invoice shows the crossing date, time, and toll amount, plus instructions for payment.

You have 21 days from the invoice date to pay. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail. Payment methods include credit card, debit card, or check. Once you pay, the matter is closed.

If you do not pay within 21 days, a late fee is added to your balance. If you continue not to pay, additional penalties accumulate, and the toll authority can refer the debt to a collection agency. At that point, the total amount owed is significantly higher than the original toll. If you receive an invoice and cannot pay when ready, contact the toll authority to discuss a payment plan — they have options for people facing hardship.

Setting up a FasTrak account step by step

Go to the Bay Area Toll Authority website and select "Open a FasTrak Account." You will be asked for your name, address, phone number, email, and vehicle information (license plate, vehicle type, year, make, and model). You will also choose a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or bank account that the system will draw from when your balance runs low.

After you submit your information, the system generates an account number and asks you to add money to your account. This is called "prepaying" your tolls. You can add as little as $25 or as much as you want. The system will automatically charge your payment method when your balance drops below a threshold you set (usually $10 or $25).

Once your account is active, the toll authority mails you a transponder. Installation takes two minutes — you peel off the adhesive backing and stick it to the inside of your windshield, usually on the upper driver's side. The next time you cross the bridge, the transponder communicates with the toll readers, and your toll is deducted automatically. You do not need to do anything else.

What happens if you lose or damage your transponder

If your transponder stops working, gets damaged, or falls off your windshield, contact the Bay Area Toll Authority and request a replacement. They will mail you a new one at no charge. Until it arrives, you can cross the bridge and pay by mail using your license plate, just as if you did not have FasTrak. The toll authority will recognize your account and deduct the FasTrak rate from your account balance when you pay the mailed invoice.

If you sell your vehicle or transfer your transponder to a different car, you must update your account with the new license plate number. You can do this online or by calling customer service. Failing to update your information can result in tolls being charged to the wrong account or invoices being mailed to the previous owner.

Tolls for other Bay Area bridges

The Bay Bridge is one of nine toll bridges in the Bay Area. The Golden Gate Bridge, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, and Carquinez Bridge all charge tolls. Each bridge sets its own rates and accepts FasTrak, though the rates and peak hours vary by bridge.

If you cross multiple bridges regularly, a single FasTrak account works on all of them. You do not need separate accounts for each bridge. The transponder in your windshield is recognized at every toll plaza in the region, and tolls are deducted from the same account balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the Bay Bridge toll with cash?

No. The Bay Bridge toll plaza no longer accepts cash. You must either have a FasTrak account or pay by mail after receiving an invoice. If you cross without FasTrak, a photo of your license plate is taken and an invoice is mailed to you within days.

What if I cross the bridge and my FasTrak account has no money in it?

The toll will still be deducted from your account, even if your balance goes negative. Your payment method will be charged automatically to bring your balance back to zero or positive. If your payment method is declined, you will receive a notice and have a chance to update your payment information before late fees explore.

Do I have to pay the toll if I am carpooling or driving a hybrid vehicle?

All vehicles pay the toll, regardless of occupancy or fuel type. There are no carpool or hybrid discounts on the Bay Bridge. The only exception is for certain vehicles displaying a disabled person placard, which may be may be able to access for a discount — check the Bay Area Toll Authority website for current rules.

How long does it take to set up FasTrak?

You can open an account online in about five minutes. However, the transponder is mailed to you and typically arrives within one to two weeks. Until it arrives, you can still cross the bridge and pay by mail. Once the transponder arrives and you install it, tolls are deducted automatically on your next crossing.

What if I dispute a toll charge?

If you believe you were charged incorrectly — for example, if you were charged twice for a single crossing — contact the Bay Area Toll Authority with your account number, crossing date, and time. They will review the transaction and issue a refund if an error is found. You can file a dispute online or by phone.