How do you pay for toll roads in San Francisco?

Paying for Toll Roads in San Francisco

In San Francisco, there are two types of toll roads: the Golden Gate Bridge and state-owned bridges. Each type of bridge has its own set of payment options, as outlined below.

Golden Gate Bridge

Tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge are assessed electronically in the southbound direction, heading into San Francisco, with no stopping at the toll plaza. There are four ways to pay a Golden Gate Bridge toll:

Key Facts

Golden Gate Bridge:

Tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge are assessed electronically in the southbound direction, heading into San Francisco, with no stopping at the toll plaza.
There are four ways to pay a Golden Gate Bridge toll: FasTrak Account, License Plate Account, One-Time Payment, and Toll Invoice.
With a FasTrak Account, a vehicle-mounted toll tag is read by antennae. If no toll tag is present, cameras capture images of your license plates to assess the toll electronically.
FasTrak offers a discounted toll rate at the Golden Gate Bridge and is required for carpools.
License Plate Accounts are best suited for drivers who choose to “pay as they go” on the Golden Gate Bridge.
One-Time Payments are suggested for infrequent bridge users, visitors, and customers who want to pay using cash.
If you do not take action to open a FasTrak Account, License Plate Account, or make a One-Time Payment, a Toll Invoice is generated and mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

State-Owned Bridges:

All Bay Area toll bridges, including those in San Francisco, have switched to automatic toll collection, and cash payment is no longer accepted.
The Bay Area Toll Authority manages operations on state-owned bridges in the Bay Area.

FasTrak AccountA vehicle-mounted toll tag is read by antennae. If no toll tag is present, cameras capture images of your license plates to assess the toll electronically. FasTrak offers a discounted toll rate at the Golden Gate Bridge and is required for carpools.
License Plate AccountThis option is best suited for drivers who choose to “pay as they go” on the Golden Gate Bridge. A prepaid toll balance is not required, and the toll is deducted from the account each time your vehicle crosses the bridge.
One-Time PaymentThis option is suggested for infrequent bridge users, visitors, and customers who want to pay using cash. One-Time Payments can be made up to 30 days before or within 48 hours after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.
Toll InvoiceIf you do not take action to open a FasTrak Account, License Plate Account, or make a One-Time Payment, a Toll Invoice is generated and mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

State-Owned Bridges

All Bay Area toll bridges, including those in San Francisco, have switched to automatic toll collection, and cash payment is no longer accepted. The Bay Area Toll Authority manages operations on state-owned bridges in the Bay Area. There are four ways to pay tolls on state-owned bridges:

FasTrak®FasTrak automatically deducts tolls from a prepaid account using a toll tag attached to your vehicle. You can add more money to your account automatically with a credit card (the easiest way to ensure your FasTrak account always has funds) or with cash, check, or money order. There are no fees to open a FasTrak account, get a toll tag, or use it to pay your tolls.
License Plate AccountLicense Plate Accounts are an option for drivers who choose to “pay as they go.” A License Plate Account uses your license plate number to identify your vehicle and matches it to your account. If the account is linked to a credit card, the toll is charged to the card each time your vehicle crosses a bridge. There is no prepaid balance required and there are no extra fees.
One-Time PaymentIf you’re visiting or only in the area for a short time, a One-Time Payment may be best for you. One-Time Payments are set up for a short, specific period of time and can be used to pay a toll after you cross a bridge (within 48 hours) or for future tolls (up to 30 days). There are no extra fees for One-Time Payments.
InvoiceIf you don’t choose any of the other three methods, an invoice will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The invoice will be for the amount of the bridge toll(s) with no additional fees. Invoices must be paid on time or they will accrue additional fees and penalties.

Sources

FAQs

How many ways are there to pay for tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge?

There are four ways to pay for tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge: FasTrak Account, License Plate Account, One-Time Payment, and Toll Invoice.

What is the cheapest way to pay for tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge?

The cheapest way to pay for tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge is to open a FasTrak Account. FasTrak offers a discounted toll rate and does not charge any additional fees.

Can I pay for tolls on state-owned bridges in San Francisco with cash?

No, cash is no longer accepted as a form of payment on state-owned toll bridges in San Francisco. All tolls must be paid electronically using FasTrak, License Plate Account, One-Time Payment, or Invoice.

What happens if I don’t pay my toll invoice on time?

If you do not pay your toll invoice on time, you will be charged a late fee. The late fee will be added to the amount of the toll that you owe. If you do not pay the late fee and the toll, your vehicle registration may be suspended.

Can I open a FasTrak account if I don’t live in the Bay Area?

Yes, you can open a FasTrak account even if you do not live in the Bay Area. However, you will need to provide a valid credit card or debit card to open an account.

Can I use my FasTrak account to pay for tolls on bridges outside of the Bay Area?

Yes, you can use your FasTrak account to pay for tolls on bridges in other parts of California, as well as in some other states.

What is the penalty for not paying a toll?

The penalty for not paying a toll is a fine of up to $250. If you do not pay the fine, your vehicle registration may be suspended.