California toll roads accept cash, credit cards, and prepaid accounts depending on which road you use
California operates tolls on a handful of specific roads and bridges, not statewide. The main toll facilities are the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), Bay Bridge (San Francisco to Oakland), Dumbarton Bridge (Fremont to Newark), San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, Carquinez Bridge (Vallejo area), and several toll roads in Orange County and San Diego County. Each facility has its own payment method, and some accept multiple ways to pay while others do not.
You can pay tolls by driving through a toll plaza and paying cash or card at a booth, by setting up a prepaid account that charges your card automatically, or by paying online after you cross. The method available to you depends on which bridge or road you use and whether you have a transponder account. Most drivers in California who use tolls regularly set up a FasTrak account, which is the state's electronic toll collection system.
Key Takeaways
- California's main toll facilities are the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and several bridges and toll roads in the Bay Area and Southern California, each with different payment options.
- FasTrak is California's prepaid account system that lets you drive through toll plazas without stopping; you can set one up online or by phone and link it to a credit or debit card.
- If you do not have a FasTrak account, you can pay cash or credit card at toll booths, but some facilities charge a higher rate for drivers without accounts.
- If you miss a toll or drive through without paying, you will receive an invoice by mail; ignoring it can result in late fees and vehicle registration holds.
- Different toll agencies run different facilities, so payment methods and rates vary; check the specific bridge or road website before you travel.
FasTrak accounts: how to set up and use them
FasTrak is the electronic toll collection system used on most California toll facilities. When you have a FasTrak account, you receive a small transponder (a wireless tag) that you mount on your windshield. As you drive through a toll plaza, a reader scans your transponder and charges your account automatically. You do not have to stop, slow down, or do anything except drive through.
To open a FasTrak account, go to the FasTrak website (www.bayareafastrak.org for Bay Area tolls, or the specific agency website for Southern California tolls) or call the account center. You will need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle license plate number, and a credit or debit card to link to the account. You can set a minimum balance — when your account drops below that amount, your card is charged automatically to refill it. Most accounts require a minimum balance of $25 to $50.
FasTrak rates are lower than cash rates on most facilities. For example, on the Bay Bridge, a FasTrak toll is less than a cash toll. If you use a toll facility regularly, the savings add up. You can manage your account online, check your balance, update your payment method, and view your toll history.
Paying cash or credit at toll booths
If you do not have a FasTrak account, you can pay at a toll booth with cash or a credit card. Not all facilities have staffed booths at all hours, and some have reduced booth hours during off-peak times. Check the specific facility's website to confirm booth availability before you travel, especially late at night or early in the morning.
Cash tolls are higher than FasTrak tolls on most Bay Area bridges. On some Southern California toll roads, cash is not accepted at all — you must have a FasTrak account or pay online. The Golden Gate Bridge accepts both cash and credit cards at toll booths, and also offers a FasTrak option.
If you pay with a credit card at a booth, the transaction is processed when ready. Keep your receipt in case you need to dispute the charge or verify payment later.
Paying tolls online after you cross
Some toll facilities allow you to pay online within a set window after you cross — usually within a few days. This option is available on certain Bay Area bridges and some Southern California toll roads. You will need your vehicle license plate number and the date and time you crossed.
To pay online, visit the toll agency's website, enter your plate number and crossing details, and pay with a credit or debit card. The fee for paying online is typically the same as the FasTrak rate, though some facilities charge a small processing fee. This method is useful if you cross a toll facility infrequently and do not want to open an account.
What happens if you do not pay a toll
If you cross a toll facility without paying and do not have a FasTrak account, the toll agency will send you an invoice by mail within a few weeks. The invoice will show the toll amount, the date and time you crossed, and your vehicle information. You can pay the invoice online, by mail, or by phone using the instructions on the notice.
If you ignore the invoice or do not pay within the important date, late fees and penalties will be added to your bill. The amount varies by agency but can be substantial — sometimes doubling or tripling the original toll. If you do not pay after multiple notices, the toll agency can place a hold on your vehicle registration, which means you cannot renew your registration until the toll debt is paid.
If you received an invoice by mistake — for example, you paid at a booth but the payment did not process — contact the toll agency when ready with your receipt or payment confirmation. Most agencies have a dispute process and can reverse charges if you provide proof of payment.
Toll rates and which facilities charge tolls
California toll rates vary by facility and change periodically. The Golden Gate Bridge toll is one of the highest in the state. Bay Area bridge tolls (Bay Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, Carquinez Bridge) are set by the Bay Area Toll Authority and are lower than the Golden Gate Bridge. Southern California toll roads in Orange County and San Diego County have their own rates set by their respective agencies.
Rates also vary by vehicle type — motorcycles, cars, and trucks may have different tolls. Some facilities offer discounts for carpools or low-income drivers; check the specific agency website for current discounts. FasTrak rates are consistently lower than cash rates, so if you use a toll facility more than once or twice a year, opening an account usually saves money.
Toll amounts are not fixed statewide and change based on inflation and facility maintenance costs. Before you travel, check the specific bridge or road website to see the current toll for your vehicle type and payment method.
Toll facilities by region and their payment methods
| Facility | Region | Payment Methods | FasTrak Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Bridge | San Francisco | Cash, credit card, FasTrak | Yes |
| Bay Bridge | San Francisco to Oakland | FasTrak, online payment, cash (limited hours) | Yes |
| Dumbarton Bridge | Fremont to Newark | FasTrak, online payment, cash (limited hours) | Yes |
| San Mateo-Hayward Bridge | San Mateo to Hayward | FasTrak, online payment, cash (limited hours) | Yes |
| Carquinez Bridge | Vallejo area | FasTrak, online payment, cash (limited hours) | Yes |
| Orange County toll roads | Orange County | FasTrak, online payment | Yes |
| San Diego toll roads | San Diego County | FasTrak, online payment | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one FasTrak account for multiple vehicles?
Yes. You can link multiple vehicles to a single FasTrak account by adding their license plate numbers. Each vehicle will need its own transponder mounted on the windshield. When any vehicle with a linked transponder crosses a toll facility, the toll is charged to the same account.
What if I move out of California and still have a FasTrak account?
You can keep your account open and use it if you return to California. If you no longer plan to use California toll facilities, you can close your account online or by phone and request a refund of any remaining balance. The refund is typically issued to the credit card on file within a few weeks.
Do I have to pay tolls on Interstate 80 or other major highways?
No. Most California highways, including Interstate 80, are free. Tolls are charged only on specific bridges and toll roads. If you are unsure whether a particular route has tolls, check the facility's website or use a mapping app that shows toll roads.
Can I dispute a toll charge if I think I was charged twice?
Yes. Contact the toll agency that issued the charge with the date, time, and location of the crossing. Provide any receipts or payment confirmations you have. The agency will investigate and reverse the charge if it was an error. Most agencies have a dispute form on their website.
What if my transponder is damaged or lost?
Contact your FasTrak account center to report the issue. You can request a replacement transponder, which is usually mailed to you within a few business days. Your account remains active while you wait for the replacement, so tolls will still be charged if you cross a facility. Once you receive the new transponder, mount it on your windshield and your account will resume normal operation.