The Oakland Bay Bridge toll is $6.15 for most passenger vehicles during off-peak hours and $7.15 during peak hours, collected electronically or by mail

The Bay Bridge connects Oakland to San Francisco and is operated by the Bay Area Toll Authority. You do not stop at a booth to pay — tolls are collected by camera and license plate reading. If you cross without a valid payment method set up, you will receive a toll notice by mail within two weeks. The toll amount depends on when you cross: off-peak (9:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5:35 a.m.) costs $6.15, and peak hours cost $7.15.

You have three ways to pay: set up a FasTrak account before you cross, use a license plate-based payment plan called Pay-as-You-Go, or pay the toll notice if you receive one in the mail. FasTrak is the fastest and cheapest option if you cross regularly. Pay-as-You-Go works if you cross occasionally and do not want to buy a transponder. If you do nothing and receive a notice, you can pay it online or by phone within 21 days to avoid a penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • FasTrak is a prepaid account with a transponder that deducts tolls automatically and costs $6.15 off-peak or $7.15 peak, with no additional fees.
  • Pay-as-You-Go charges your license plate and sends you a bill monthly, also at $6.15 or $7.15 per crossing depending on time of day.
  • If you cross without either account, you will receive a toll notice in the mail within two weeks; paying within 21 days costs the toll amount only.
  • Paying late or ignoring the notice adds a $25 penalty and can result in vehicle registration holds or collection action.
  • You can set up FasTrak or Pay-as-You-Go online at bayareafastrak.org or by phone at 1-888-BAYAREA.

FasTrak: The prepaid transponder account

A FasTrak account requires you to buy a transponder (a small electronic device) and load money into the account before you cross. The transponder mounts on your windshield and communicates with readers on the bridge. When you cross, the toll is deducted automatically from your account balance. You can set up an account online at bayareafastrak.org, by phone at 1-888-BAYAREA, or at a customer service center in the Bay Area.

The transponder itself is free, but you must load at least $25 into your account to set up it. Once active, your balance will not drop below $0 — if you run low, the system will charge your payment method (credit card or bank account) automatically to refill it. This means you never have to remember to pay or worry about receiving a notice. If you cross the bridge regularly, FasTrak is the simplest option because you set it up once and it works every time.

If you lose or damage your transponder, you can request a replacement online or by phone. There is no charge for the replacement, but you will need to wait for it to arrive by mail before you cross again. If you need to cross before the replacement arrives, you can use Pay-as-You-Go temporarily.

Pay-as-You-Go: License plate billing without a transponder

Pay-as-You-Go is a license plate-based system that does not require a transponder. When you cross the bridge, a camera reads your license plate and records the crossing. At the end of each month, you receive a bill by mail or email for all the tolls you incurred. You pay the bill by the due date shown on the invoice.

To set up Pay-as-You-Go, go to bayareafastrak.org, click "Pay-as-You-Go," and enter your license plate number and payment information. You can also call 1-888-BAYAREA. There is no cost to set up the account, and the toll per crossing is the same as FasTrak ($6.15 off-peak, $7.15 peak). This option works well if you cross the bridge only a few times a month and do not want to maintain a prepaid balance.

If you receive a bill and do not pay by the due date, the account will be flagged as delinquent. Late payments trigger a $25 penalty, and unpaid bills can lead to registration holds or collection action. If you move or change your license plate, update your account information online or by phone so bills reach you.

What happens if you cross without paying

If you cross the bridge without FasTrak or Pay-as-You-Go set up, the camera will capture your license plate. Within two weeks, you will receive a toll notice by mail at the address on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The notice will show the toll amount ($6.15 or $7.15), the date and time you crossed, and a 21-day payment important date.

You can pay the toll notice online at bayareafastrak.org, by phone at 1-888-BAYAREA, or by mail. If you pay within 21 days, you owe only the toll amount — no penalty. If you do not pay by the important date, a $25 penalty is added to your bill. If you ignore the notice entirely, the debt can be sent to a collection agency, and the Bay Area Toll Authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration, preventing you from renewing it.

If you believe the notice is wrong — for example, you did not cross the bridge that day or your license plate was misread — you can dispute it. Call 1-888-BAYAREA with your notice number and explain the issue. You will need to provide evidence, such as a credit card statement showing you were elsewhere or a police report if your plate was stolen.

Toll rates and peak versus off-peak hours

The Bay Bridge toll for a passenger vehicle is $6.15 during off-peak hours and $7.15 during peak hours. Off-peak hours are 9:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5:35 a.m., Monday through Friday. Peak hours are 5:35 a.m. to 9:35 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. On weekends and holidays, the toll is always $6.15.

Motorcycles pay $3.08 off-peak and $3.58 peak. Trucks and larger vehicles pay higher rates depending on their axle count. If you drive a vehicle other than a standard passenger car, check bayareafastrak.org for the exact rate. The toll is the same whether you use FasTrak, Pay-as-You-Go, or pay a notice — the only difference is convenience and whether you pay before or after crossing.

Updating your account and managing your transponder

If you change your address, phone number, email, or payment method, update your account online at bayareafastrak.org or call 1-888-BAYAREA. This is especially important if you move, because toll notices and bills are sent to your registered address. If you change your license plate, update that information in your Pay-as-You-Go or FasTrak account so the system continues to recognize your vehicle.

If you have a FasTrak transponder and your vehicle is sold or traded in, you should remove the transponder and either transfer it to your new vehicle or close the account. If you leave the transponder on a vehicle you no longer own, tolls may be charged to your account when someone else drives it across the bridge. To close an account, log in online or call 1-888-BAYAREA.

If you have multiple vehicles, you can add them all to one FasTrak account or set up separate accounts. Some people keep one account with a transponder in their primary vehicle and use Pay-as-You-Go for occasional trips in other vehicles. This flexibility lets you choose what works best for your driving patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the toll with cash at a booth?

No. The Bay Bridge does not have toll booths. All tolls are collected electronically by camera and license plate reading. You must pay through FasTrak, Pay-as-You-Go, or a toll notice received by mail.

What if I get a toll notice but I already set up FasTrak or Pay-as-You-Go?

This can happen if the notice was issued before your account was activated or if there was a delay in the system recognizing your payment method. Call 1-888-BAYAREA with your notice number and account information. They can often cancel the notice and explore the payment to your account instead.

Do I have to pay the toll if I am just passing through Oakland to get somewhere else?

Yes. The toll applies to every crossing of the Bay Bridge, regardless of where you are going. There are no exemptions based on your destination or reason for crossing.

What happens if my transponder stops working?

If your transponder is not being read, you may receive toll notices for crossings you made with it. Call 1-888-BAYAREA to report the issue. They can investigate whether the transponder malfunctioned and may waive charges if they confirm a technical problem. In the meantime, request a replacement transponder.

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

Yes. If your account balance is positive and you no longer need it, you can request a refund online or by phone. Refunds are typically issued to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days.