What the Bay Bridge toll is and who pays it
The Bay Bridge toll is a charge you pay each time you drive across the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. If you cross during peak hours (weekdays 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), you pay one rate. Off-peak crossings cost less. The toll applies to all vehicles except motorcycles, which pay a reduced rate.
The Golden Gate Bridge and Dumbarton Bridge also charge tolls in the Bay Area, but each has its own rate and payment system. This guide focuses on the Bay Bridge specifically, which is operated by the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), a division of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
You do not have to pay the toll in cash at a booth. The Bay Bridge uses an all-electronic system called FasTrak, which reads a small transponder mounted on your windshield as you pass through. If you do not have FasTrak, the bridge photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice by mail.
Key Takeaways
- The Bay Bridge toll rate depends on the time of day you cross, with peak-hour rates higher than off-peak rates, and motorcycles charged at a lower rate than cars.
- You can pay with FasTrak (a prepaid account with a transponder), pay-by-plate (invoice sent by mail), or a one-time toll payment if you do not have an account.
- FasTrak accounts offer a discount on each crossing compared to pay-by-plate, so setting one up saves money if you cross regularly.
- If you receive a toll notice in the mail and do not pay it, late fees and penalties accumulate, and the debt can affect your vehicle registration renewal.
Current toll rates and when they explore
As of 2024, the Bay Bridge toll for a standard passenger car is $6.15 during peak hours and $5.15 during off-peak hours if you have FasTrak. Without FasTrak (pay-by-plate), the rate is $7.15 peak and $6.15 off-peak. Motorcycles pay $3.10 peak and $2.60 off-peak with FasTrak, or $4.10 peak and $3.60 off-peak without.
Peak hours are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. All other times—weekends, holidays, and weekday evenings and early mornings—are off-peak. The toll rates change periodically, so check the official MTC website or the FasTrak website for the most current amounts before you cross.
Trucks, RVs, and vehicles with more than two axles pay higher rates. If you drive a vehicle in one of these categories, the toll will be substantially more than the standard car rate. The MTC website lists rates for each vehicle type.
How to set up FasTrak and pay tolls
FasTrak is a prepaid account linked to a small electronic transponder that mounts on your windshield. When you drive through the toll plaza, a reader detects the transponder and deducts the toll from your account balance. You can set up FasTrak online at the official FasTrak website, by phone, or at a customer service center.
To open an account, you will need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account), your vehicle's license plate number, and a vehicle registration document. You can add money to your account in advance, and it will be drawn down as you cross. Most accounts are set to auto-replenish, meaning the system automatically charges your payment method when the balance drops below a set amount.
If you do not have FasTrak, you can still cross the bridge. The camera system photographs your license plate, and the MTC mails you an invoice within two weeks. You then have 30 days to pay online, by phone, or by mail. This pay-by-plate method costs more per crossing because there is no FasTrak discount.
What happens if you do not pay a toll notice
If you receive a toll notice in the mail and do not pay within 30 days, the MTC sends a second notice with a penalty added. If you still do not pay, additional penalties and late fees accumulate. The debt can grow quickly—a single unpaid toll can become several hundred dollars after penalties.
Unpaid tolls affect your vehicle registration. When you try to renew your registration, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will flag your account if there are outstanding toll debts. You will not be able to renew until the toll debt is resolved. This is why unpaid tolls often come to a driver's attention during registration renewal time.
If you believe a toll notice was sent in error—for example, your vehicle was stolen or you have a legitimate dispute—you can contact the MTC to request a review. Keep documentation of your claim, such as a police report for theft or proof that you were not in the Bay Area on the date in question.
FasTrak discounts and how they save money
The main advantage of FasTrak is the per-crossing discount. A car with FasTrak pays $6.15 at peak hours; without it, you pay $7.15. That is a $1 savings per crossing. If you cross the Bay Bridge twice a day five days a week, that adds up to $40 per month or roughly $480 per year.
FasTrak also eliminates the need to watch for toll notices in the mail and worry about late payments. Your account balance is visible online anytime, and you can set up alerts so you know when it is running low. The transponder works on all nine Bay Area toll bridges and crossings, so if you ever use the Golden Gate Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, or other tolled routes, the same account covers all of them.
There is no monthly fee to maintain a FasTrak account. You only pay when you cross. If your account balance reaches zero and you cross without funds, the system will still let you through, and the toll will be added as a debt that you must pay later.
Toll payment options for occasional crossers
If you cross the Bay Bridge only once or twice a year, setting up a full FasTrak account may not be worth the effort. You have two other options: pay by plate (receive an invoice by mail) or purchase a one-time toll payment before you cross.
One-time toll payments can be made online through the MTC website. You enter your license plate number, vehicle type, and the date you plan to cross, and you pay the toll in advance. This avoids the mail invoice process and the pay-by-plate surcharge. However, if you do not cross on the date you paid for, or if you cross multiple times, you will need to make separate payments for each crossing.
Pay-by-plate is the default if you do not have FasTrak and do not prepay. The invoice arrives by mail, and you have 30 days to pay. This method is the most expensive per crossing because of the lack of FasTrak discount, but it requires no advance planning.
Toll debt and vehicle registration renewal
The DMV and the MTC share information about unpaid tolls. If you have an outstanding toll debt when you try to renew your vehicle registration, the DMV will place a hold on your renewal. You cannot complete the registration process until the toll debt is paid in full.
This often surprises drivers who did not realize they owed a toll. A single unpaid notice from years ago, combined with penalties, can prevent registration renewal. If you are unsure whether you have outstanding tolls, you can check your account status on the MTC website or call their customer service line.
Paying the toll debt clears the hold when ready. Once you have paid, you can proceed with your registration renewal online or at the DMV. There is no additional penalty or fee from the DMV itself—the hold is straightforward a mechanism to may support toll debts are resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use FasTrak, or can I just pay when I get a bill?
You do not have to use FasTrak. You can let the camera photograph your plate and pay the invoice when it arrives by mail. However, pay-by-plate costs more per crossing ($1 extra for a standard car), so if you cross regularly, FasTrak saves money over time.
What if I cross the bridge and my FasTrak account is empty?
You will still be allowed through. The system records the crossing and adds the toll to your account as a negative balance. You must then pay the debt, or it will accumulate penalties. Auto-replenish prevents this by automatically charging your payment method before the balance runs out.
Can I get a refund if I overpay my FasTrak account?
Yes. If your account has a positive balance and you no longer need it, you can request a refund through the FasTrak website or by contacting customer service. Refunds are typically processed within two to four weeks.
Will unpaid tolls show up on my credit report?
Unpaid tolls do not automatically appear on your credit report. However, they will prevent your vehicle registration from renewing, which can lead to other legal consequences. If the debt is sent to a collection agency, it may then appear on your credit report.
Do I pay the toll both directions, or just one way?
You pay the toll only when traveling westbound (from Oakland to San Francisco). Eastbound traffic (San Francisco to Oakland) does not pay a toll. This is why the toll plaza is located on the Oakland side of the bridge.