California's toll roads and how to pay them

California has seven toll roads, all in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California. You can pay tolls three ways: with a FasTrak account (the state's electronic toll collection system), by mail after receiving an invoice, or at toll plazas that still accept cash. FasTrak is the cheapest option because tolls are discounted 25 to 50 percent compared to paying at the booth or by invoice. Most drivers use FasTrak because it is faster and saves money, but you do not have to use it.

The toll roads themselves are operated by different agencies. The Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and most Bay Area crossings are run by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District and the Bay Area Toll Authority. In Southern California, the 73, 133, 241, and 261 toll roads are operated by the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA). Each has its own toll rates and payment rules, though FasTrak works on all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • FasTrak is California's electronic toll system and offers the lowest toll rates, but you can also pay by mail or at some toll plazas with cash.
  • You set up a FasTrak account online or by phone, link a payment method, and the system deducts tolls automatically as you drive.
  • If you do not have FasTrak, you will receive a bill by mail within 30 days, and tolls cost significantly more than the FasTrak rate.
  • Each toll road operator has its own website where you can check current rates, set up an account, or pay an invoice.

Setting up a FasTrak account

To open a FasTrak account, visit the FasTrak website (www.bayareafastrak.org for Bay Area tolls, or www.tca.org for Southern California tolls) or call the customer service number for your region. You will need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle license plate number, and a payment method—either a credit card, debit card, or bank account. The account setup takes about 10 minutes online.

Once your account is open, you order a FasTrak transponder (a small device that mounts on your windshield). The transponder costs between $1.50 and $2.00 depending on the operator. You set a minimum balance in your account, and tolls are deducted automatically each time you cross. Most accounts require a minimum balance of $25 to $40, though you can set it higher. When your balance drops below a threshold you choose, the system charges your payment method automatically.

If you have multiple vehicles, you can add them to the same account or create separate accounts. Each vehicle needs its own transponder. Some people use a single account with multiple transponders to simplify billing and payment.

Toll rates and discounts

FasTrak rates vary by road and time of day. On the Bay Bridge, for example, FasTrak tolls range from $5.75 to $6.75 depending on the direction and time, while the non-FasTrak rate is $10.15. On the Golden Gate Bridge, FasTrak costs $7.70 and the cash rate is $9.15. Southern California toll roads have their own rate structures, with FasTrak discounts typically 25 to 40 percent below the invoice rate.

Some toll roads use congestion pricing, meaning tolls are higher during peak hours and lower during off-peak times. The Bay Bridge and some Bay Area crossings adjust tolls in 25-cent increments based on traffic demand. You can check the current toll for your route and time on the operator's website before you drive.

Carpool and motorcycle discounts are available on some roads. The Bay Bridge offers a carpool discount if you have three or more people in the vehicle and use a carpool transponder. Check your specific toll road's website to see what discounts explore.

Paying tolls without FasTrak

If you do not have a FasTrak account, you will receive a toll invoice by mail within 30 days of crossing. The invoice includes the toll amount, a payment due date (usually 21 days from the invoice date), and instructions for paying online, by phone, or by mail. The toll amount on an invoice is significantly higher than the FasTrak rate—often 50 percent more.

You can pay the invoice through the toll operator's website using a credit or debit card, by phone with a customer service representative, or by mailing a check. Late payments result in penalties. If you do not pay within 60 days, the toll operator may report the debt to a collection agency and the unpaid toll can affect your vehicle registration renewal.

A few toll plazas still accept cash at the booth, though this is becoming rare. The Golden Gate Bridge and some Bay Area crossings have cash lanes, but expect longer waits. Southern California toll roads have largely eliminated cash payment at the booth, so invoice payment is the main alternative to FasTrak.

Toll road operators and their contact information

The Bay Area has two main toll operators. The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District operates the Golden Gate Bridge (www.goldengate.org, 511 or 877-229-8655). The Bay Area Toll Authority operates the Bay Bridge, San Mateo Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, and Livermore Valley crossings (www.bayareafastrak.org, 877-229-8655).

In Southern California, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) operates the 73, 133, 241, and 261 toll roads in Orange County and San Diego County (www.tca.org, 949-737-6278). Each operator's website has current toll rates, account management tools, and payment options.

What happens if you cross without paying

If you cross a toll road without a FasTrak transponder and do not receive or pay an invoice, the toll operator will eventually send a notice of toll evasion. Unpaid tolls can result in collection action, vehicle registration holds, and in some cases, criminal charges if the pattern is deliberate. Most toll operators work with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to flag vehicles with unpaid tolls, which can prevent you from renewing your registration.

If you receive a toll evasion notice and believe it is incorrect—for example, you crossed before your account was active or there was a transponder malfunction—you can dispute it through the operator's website or by calling customer service. Keep documentation of your FasTrak account opening date or any technical issues you experienced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same FasTrak account on all California toll roads?

FasTrak transponders work on all California toll roads, but Bay Area and Southern California toll roads are operated by different agencies with separate account systems. You will need a separate FasTrak account for Bay Area tolls (through the Bay Area Toll Authority or Golden Gate Bridge) and another for Southern California tolls (through TCA). You cannot combine them into one account.

What if my FasTrak transponder is not working?

If your transponder fails to register at a toll plaza, you will receive an invoice by mail. Contact your toll operator's customer service when ready with your account number and the date you crossed. Most operators will waive the invoice fee if you can prove the transponder was active and malfunctioned. Keep your account statements as evidence.

Do I have to use FasTrak?

No. You can pay by invoice after crossing, though the toll will be significantly higher and you will receive a bill by mail. FasTrak is optional but saves money and time. If you cross toll roads frequently, FasTrak is the most cost-effective choice.

Can I get a refund if I overpaid my FasTrak account?

Yes. If your FasTrak account balance is positive when you close it or request a refund, the toll operator will refund the remaining balance to your original payment method. Contact customer service with your account number to request a refund.