Paying your Metro ExpressLanes toll through metroexpresslanes.net takes about five minutes if you have your vehicle license plate and a payment method ready

Metro ExpressLanes are the carpool and toll lanes on Interstate 10 and Interstate 110 in Los Angeles County. If you drove through a toll point without a valid carpool or FasTrak transponder, you'll receive a toll invoice by mail. You can pay that invoice online at metroexpresslanes.net, by phone, or by mail. The website payment option is fastest and lets you see your account balance and toll history when ready.

The site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers. Payment typically posts within one business day. If you plan to use the lanes regularly, you can also set up a FasTrak account through the same website to avoid invoices altogether — the transponder charges your account automatically each time you pass through.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to metroexpresslanes.net and select "Pay a Toll Invoice" to pay a single charge you received in the mail.
  • Have your invoice number (found on the toll notice), license plate number, and a credit or debit card ready before you start.
  • Payment by card posts within one business day; bank transfer payments may take two to three business days.
  • If you use the lanes more than a few times per month, opening a FasTrak account costs nothing and eliminates future invoices by charging your account automatically.

Steps to pay a toll invoice online

Start at metroexpresslanes.net on a computer or phone. Look for the "Pay a Toll Invoice" button — it's usually on the homepage or under a "Pay Now" section. Click it and you'll be asked to enter your invoice number, which appears at the top of the toll notice you received in the mail.

Next, enter your California license plate number exactly as it appears on your vehicle registration. The system will pull up the toll charges associated with that plate. Review the amount and date of the toll to make sure it matches your invoice. Then select your payment method: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or direct bank transfer.

If you're paying by card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). If you're paying by bank transfer, you'll provide your routing number and account number. Enter your billing address and email, then submit. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen and a receipt by email within minutes.

What happens after you pay

Your payment is recorded when ready in the system, though it may take one business day to show as "paid" on your account. If you paid by card, the charge appears on your statement within one to three business days depending on your bank. Bank transfer payments typically post in two to three business days.

Once payment is confirmed, you won't receive any further notices about that toll. If you have other unpaid tolls on your account (from different dates), they will still appear as outstanding. You can pay those separately using the same process, or you can pay them all at once by entering each invoice number.

Setting up a FasTrak account to avoid future invoices

If you use Metro ExpressLanes regularly, creating a FasTrak account is simpler than paying invoices one at a time. FasTrak is a prepaid account linked to a transponder — a small device you mount on your windshield. Every time you pass through a toll point, the transponder is read automatically and your account is charged. No invoice arrives in the mail.

To open a FasTrak account, go to metroexpresslanes.net and select "Open a FasTrak Account." You'll need your vehicle license plate, a valid payment method, and an email address. The transponder costs nothing; you only pay for the tolls you actually use. You can load money into your account in advance, or set it to charge your card automatically when your balance drops below a certain amount.

The transponder arrives by mail in five to seven business days. Once you install it and set up it through the website, tolls are charged automatically on your next trip through the lanes. You can check your balance and toll history anytime by logging into your account online.

Payment methods and fees

Metro ExpressLanes accepts all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and direct bank transfers. There is no fee for paying by card or bank transfer — the amount you see on the invoice is the amount you pay. Some banks may charge their own fees for electronic transfers, but Metro does not add any processing charge.

If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address on your invoice. Mail payments take longer to process — typically five to ten business days — so pay online or by phone if you need to resolve the charge quickly. If your invoice is past due, you may receive a notice of delinquency; paying when ready stops further collection action.

If you don't recognize a toll charge

If the toll on your invoice doesn't match a trip you took, or if you believe you had a valid carpool or transponder, contact Metro ExpressLanes customer service before paying. You can call 1-888-METRO-LA (1-888-638-7652) or use the "Contact Us" form on metroexpresslanes.net. Have your invoice number and license plate ready.

Explain the issue — for example, if you had a passenger and should have been charged the carpool rate, or if you had a FasTrak transponder that malfunctioned. Metro can review the toll transaction and may adjust the charge or remove it entirely if an error is found. This process usually takes five to ten business days. If you've already paid and later discover an error, you can request a refund through the same channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a toll invoice by phone?

Yes. Call 1-888-METRO-LA (1-888-638-7652) and have your invoice number and payment method ready. Phone payments are processed the same day and post within one business day, just like online payments.

What if I lost my invoice?

You don't need the physical invoice to pay online. Go to metroexpresslanes.net, enter your license plate number, and the system will show all unpaid tolls on your account. You can pay from there without the invoice number, though having it speeds up the process.

Do I have to pay the toll if I was carpooling?

No. If you had two or more occupants (including the driver) in your vehicle, you should not have been charged. Contact Metro customer service with your invoice number and explain that you were carpooling. They can review the transaction and remove the charge if your account is verified as a carpool vehicle.

Can I set up automatic payments for future tolls?

Yes, through a FasTrak account. Once you open an account and install the transponder, you can choose to have your card charged automatically whenever your balance drops below a set amount. This eliminates invoices and manual payments entirely.

What if my payment didn't go through?

Check your email for a confirmation receipt — if you received one, the payment went through. If you didn't receive a confirmation, try paying again or call customer service to confirm whether the payment was recorded. If your card was declined, try a different card or pay by bank transfer instead.