Golden Gate Bridge toll payment methods and where to pay
The Golden Gate Bridge toll is collected electronically as you cross the bridge heading south into Marin County. You do not stop at a booth — payment happens automatically through your license plate or a transponder device. If you drive the bridge without paying, the toll authority will send an invoice to the vehicle's registered owner within 30 days.
There are three ways to pay: set up an account with FasTrak (the official transponder system), pay by mail when you receive an invoice, or use the one-time payment option online before or after you cross. Each method has different costs and works differently depending on whether you cross regularly or occasionally.
Key Takeaways
- FasTrak is a prepaid account with a transponder that charges a lower toll rate and deducts money automatically each time you cross.
- If you do not have FasTrak, you will receive a toll invoice by mail within 30 days, and you can pay it online, by phone, or by mail.
- One-time payment through the Golden Gate Bridge website lets you pay for a single crossing before or after you drive, without opening an account.
- FasTrak customers pay $6.15 per crossing; drivers without FasTrak pay $8.35 per crossing (rates as of 2024 and subject to change).
- If you do not pay within 60 days of receiving an invoice, late fees and penalties begin to accumulate.
FasTrak accounts: how they work and what they cost
FasTrak is a prepaid account system run by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. You buy a transponder (a small device that mounts on your windshield), load money into your account, and the toll is deducted automatically each time you cross. The transponder communicates with sensors on the bridge as you drive through, so you never have to stop or do anything manually.
Setting up FasTrak requires visiting the Golden Gate Bridge website (goldengatebridgetoday.org) or calling 877-229-8655. You will need to provide your vehicle registration, a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account), and a mailing address. The transponder ships to you, and you can start using it once it arrives and is activated in your account.
FasTrak customers pay $6.15 per crossing (as of 2024). Your account balance decreases with each trip. When your balance drops below a certain threshold, the system automatically charges your payment method to replenish it. If your account runs out of money and you cross the bridge, you will still be charged, and the toll will be deducted from your next payment.
Paying by mail after you receive an invoice
If you cross the bridge without FasTrak and without paying in advance, the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority will mail an invoice to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days. The invoice shows the crossing date, the toll amount ($8.35 per crossing as of 2024), and payment instructions.
You can pay the invoice three ways: online through the Golden Gate Bridge website, by phone at 877-229-8655, or by mailing a check to the address listed on the invoice. Online and phone payments are processed when ready. Mailed checks should arrive within 10 business days to avoid late fees.
Payment is due within 60 days of the invoice date. If you do not pay by that important date, a late fee of $25 is added to your bill, and additional penalties may follow. If the invoice remains unpaid for several months, the toll authority may report it to a collection agency or place a hold on vehicle registration renewal.
One-time payment without an account
The Golden Gate Bridge website offers a one-time payment option for drivers who do not want to open a FasTrak account. You can pay for a single crossing before you drive or after you have already crossed. Visit goldengatebridgetoday.org and select the one-time payment option.
To pay in advance, you will need your vehicle license plate number and a valid payment method. You can pay up to seven days before your crossing. If you are paying after you have already crossed, you have up to 60 days from the crossing date to avoid a late fee.
One-time payment costs $8.35 per crossing (as of 2024), the same rate as paying by mail invoice. This option is useful if you cross the bridge infrequently and do not want to maintain a prepaid account balance.
What happens if you do not pay
If you cross without paying and do not respond to the invoice, penalties accumulate. The initial toll is $8.35. A $25 late fee is added if you do not pay within 60 days. If the bill remains unpaid for several months, collection fees and additional penalties may be applied.
Unpaid tolls can affect your vehicle registration. The California Department of Motor Vehicles may place a hold on registration renewal or refuse to renew your registration until the toll debt is resolved. Some toll authorities also report unpaid tolls to credit reporting agencies, which can affect your credit score.
If you believe you were charged in error — for example, if your FasTrak transponder malfunctioned or if you crossed on a date you can prove you were elsewhere — you can dispute the charge by contacting the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority directly at 877-229-8655 or through their website.
FasTrak versus one-time payment: cost comparison
| Payment Method | Cost Per Crossing | Setup Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FasTrak | $6.15 | Transponder device and prepaid account | Regular commuters or frequent crossers |
| One-time payment (online) | $8.35 | None | Occasional crossers |
| Invoice by mail | $8.35 | None (automatic) | Unplanned crossings; you pay after receiving invoice |
If you cross the bridge more than a few times per year, FasTrak saves money. At $6.15 per crossing versus $8.35, you save $2.20 per trip. After 10 crossings, you save $22. The transponder itself is free, so the only cost is the account setup and maintaining a balance.
If you cross fewer than a few times per year, one-time payment or invoice payment is simpler and costs less overall because you avoid maintaining an account balance you may not use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use someone else's FasTrak transponder in my car?
No. FasTrak transponders are registered to a specific vehicle and account holder. Using another person's transponder is considered toll evasion and can result in citations and penalties. Each vehicle needs its own transponder registered to its license plate.
What if my FasTrak transponder stops working?
If your transponder is not reading correctly, you will receive an invoice by mail for the crossing. Contact FasTrak at 877-229-8655 to report the malfunction. They can investigate whether the transponder failed and may waive the toll if they confirm a technical error. Keep your transponder clean and may support it is mounted correctly on your windshield.
Do I have to pay the toll if I am crossing for an emergency?
Yes. The toll applies to all vehicles crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, regardless of the reason. There are no exemptions for emergencies. If you cross without paying, you will receive an invoice and must pay it within 60 days to avoid late fees.
Can I pay the toll with cash at the bridge?
No. The Golden Gate Bridge does not have toll booths where you can pay with cash. All tolls are collected electronically. You must pay online, by phone, by mail, or through FasTrak before or after you cross.
What if I cross the bridge multiple times in one day?
Each crossing is charged separately. If you have FasTrak, each trip deducts $6.15 from your account. If you pay by invoice or one-time payment, each crossing is billed individually. There are no daily or weekly passes that bundle multiple crossings.