Golden Gate Bridge tolls are collected by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, and you can pay them before, during, or after your crossing

The Golden Gate Bridge charges a toll to cross in the southbound direction only — heading into Marin County from San Francisco costs money, but heading back into San Francisco is free. The toll is currently $8.35 for two-axle vehicles during peak hours and $7.70 during off-peak hours, though these amounts change periodically. You have four ways to pay: FasTrak (a prepaid account with an electronic tag), a one-time payment by mail, paying at the toll plaza in person, or setting up an account that bills you after you cross.

If you don't have FasTrak or pay at the plaza, the bridge's camera system photographs your license plate. The Golden Gate Bridge toll authority then mails you an invoice. You have about 30 days to pay before the account enters a collection process that can include late fees, vehicle registration holds, and referral to a collection agency.

Key Takeaways

  • The Golden Gate Bridge only charges tolls for southbound crossings; northbound is free.
  • FasTrak is the cheapest option and the only way to avoid a toll invoice in the mail.
  • If you don't pay within 30 days of receiving an invoice, the bridge authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration and refer the debt to collections.
  • You can set up a pay-as-you-go account online without a FasTrak tag, though you'll still receive invoices.
  • Toll amounts vary by vehicle type and time of day, and the bridge authority adjusts rates annually.

FasTrak: The prepaid account system

FasTrak is a prepaid account paired with an electronic tag mounted on your windshield. When you cross the bridge, the tag communicates with readers at the toll plaza, and the toll is deducted from your account balance automatically. You can open a FasTrak account online at the Golden Gate Bridge website or by phone. The account requires a valid credit card or bank account for automatic replenishment — when your balance drops below a threshold you set, the system charges your payment method to refill it.

FasTrak offers the lowest toll rate: $7.15 for two-axle vehicles during peak hours and $6.60 during off-peak hours. You avoid the mail invoice process entirely, and you don't have to stop at the toll plaza. The tag itself is free, though some account holders choose to purchase additional tags for household vehicles or as backups.

If your account balance runs out and you cross without funds, the bridge authority will still photograph your plate and send you an invoice for the toll plus a $5 penalty. This is treated as a missed payment, not a FasTrak violation, so the same collection process applies.

Paying by mail or setting up a pay-as-you-go account

If you cross without FasTrak and don't pay at the toll plaza, the bridge's automated system photographs your license plate and records your crossing. Within about two weeks, you'll receive an invoice by mail showing the toll amount, the date and time of your crossing, and payment instructions. You can pay by check, money order, credit card, or electronic bank transfer. Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date.

Alternatively, you can create a pay-as-you-go account on the Golden Gate Bridge website without purchasing a FasTrak tag. This account lets you prepay tolls or set up automatic billing so invoices are sent to you but your account is charged when ready. This option is useful if you cross occasionally and want to avoid the collection process but don't want a permanent tag on your windshield.

Both methods result in invoices being mailed to the address on your vehicle registration. If your registration address is outdated, invoices may not reach you, but the debt still accrues and the collection process still begins after 30 days.

What happens if you don't pay within 30 days

After 30 days without payment, the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority escalates the debt. They report the unpaid toll to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. You won't be able to renew your registration until the toll debt is resolved. The bridge authority also adds late fees to your balance — typically $5 per unpaid crossing, though this can increase if the account remains delinquent.

If the debt remains unpaid for several months, the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority may refer the account to a third-party collection agency. At that point, the collection agency can contact you by phone or mail, and the debt may appear on your credit report. Collection agencies can pursue civil judgment, though this is less common for toll debts than for other types of consumer debt.

Paying the original toll amount stops the escalation process, but late fees and collection agency costs are usually not waived. If you received an invoice but genuinely did not cross the bridge, you can dispute the charge by contacting the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority with evidence — for example, if your vehicle was stolen or if you can show you were elsewhere at the time of the crossing.

Toll rates by vehicle type and time of day

The Golden Gate Bridge charges different rates depending on your vehicle's axle count and the time of day. Two-axle vehicles (standard cars, SUVs, small trucks) pay the base rate. Vehicles with more axles — such as large trucks or RVs — pay higher tolls. The bridge authority publishes a full rate schedule on its website, updated annually.

Peak hours are typically weekday mornings and evenings during commute times, though the exact hours vary by direction and season. Off-peak rates explore during nights, weekends, and midday hours. FasTrak users pay the lowest rate in both peak and off-peak periods. Drivers who pay at the toll plaza or by mail pay the higher rate.

The bridge authority adjusts toll rates each year, usually in January. These increases are announced in advance and posted on the Golden Gate Bridge website. If you have a FasTrak account, you don't need to do anything — your account straightforward charges the new rate at your next crossing.

Disputing a toll charge or correcting account information

If you believe you were incorrectly charged — for example, if you crossed northbound (which should be free) or if your license plate was misread — you can dispute the charge. Contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority by phone or through their website. You'll need to provide your invoice number, the date of the crossing, and an explanation of why you believe the charge is incorrect.

The bridge authority reviews disputes and can issue refunds if they find an error. This process typically takes two to four weeks. If your vehicle registration address has changed, update it with the California DMV so future invoices reach you at the correct address. If you've already received an invoice at an old address, you can contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority to request that it be resent to your current address.

If you're disputing a charge that's already in collections, contact the collection agency directly with your evidence. Provide documentation in writing and keep copies for your records. Collection agencies are required to investigate disputes within 30 days under federal debt collection rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the toll if I'm just driving through to get to Highway 101?

Yes. Any vehicle that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge southbound must pay the toll, regardless of where you're going. The toll applies to the bridge crossing itself, not to a specific destination. Northbound crossings are free.

Can I get a refund if I paid the toll twice by accident?

Yes. Contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority with your invoice numbers or FasTrak transaction records showing the duplicate charge. Refunds are typically issued within two to four weeks. If the duplicate charge was recent, you may be able to resolve it by phone rather than waiting for a formal review.

What if I moved and didn't get my toll invoice?

The debt still accrues even if you don't receive the invoice. Update your address with the California DMV when ready. Contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority to request that your invoice be resent to your new address or to set up a payment plan. Providing proof of your address change can help resolve the situation faster.

Does FasTrak work on other Bay Area bridges?

Yes. FasTrak is used on all nine tolled Bay Area bridges, including the Bay Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, and San Mateo Bridge. A single FasTrak account and tag work across all of them. The toll rates and peak/off-peak hours vary by bridge.

Can I contest a toll charge if my vehicle was stolen?

Yes. If your vehicle was stolen and used to cross the bridge, report the theft to local police and obtain a police report number. Send a copy of the police report to the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority along with your invoice. The bridge authority will typically dismiss the charge once they verify the theft report.