California Toll Roads, Bridges, Express Lanes and FasTrak
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The Golden State of USA, California is one of the busiest tourist destinations in the country: Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland California, Big Sur, and nine national parks including Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park and Sequoia National Park. California is also home to some of the most expensive toll roads in America[1]: 17-Mile Drive and SR-73 of Orange County. Other major toll facilities you’ll encounter include:
- San Francisco Bay Area Bridges
- 91 Express Lanes
- South Bay Expressway (SR 125 toll road)
With most of the toll plazas being electronic, a FasTrak tag transponder is the preferred toll payment method in California. It enables on-the-go toll payment with dedicated lanes. Carpools and Electric vehicles avail of high toll discounts with FasTrak Flex. If you use a FasTrak only lane without a valid tag, the toll authority will send a toll bill with a penalty to the vehicle owner.
Use CA Toll Calculator or California Toll Calculator to calculate tolls and gas costs for your trip across California and other the US states toll facilities.
California toll roads
The toll roads in California include the following stretches across the state:
South Bay Expressway (SR 125 toll road)[2] - This 20-mile (32 km) toll road stretches from the Otay Mesa border crossing north through Chula Vista to SR-54, providing access to Downtown San Diego. The road is operated by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
Eastern Toll Roads[3] - This system includes SR 133, Foothill Toll Road (SR-241), SR 241/SR 261, and San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (SR 73). These roads are operated by the Eastern Transportation Corridor Authority (ETCA).
SR 133 is a freeway (the Laguna Freeway) to I-5 and a tollway (part of the Eastern Toll Road) to SR 241 near the Santa Ana Mountains.
SR 241 toll road’s northern half is part of the Eastern Transportation Corridor while its southern half is part of the Foothill Transportation Corridor. The highway currently runs from Rancho Santa Margarita to Yorba Linda.
State Route 261 (SR 261)' connects State Route 241 with I-5.
San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (SR 73) - This 17-mile (27 km) toll road connects I-5 in Orange County with the San Diego Freeway (I-405) in Los Angeles County.
California toll bridges
Following is the list of all toll bridges in California.
- The Antioch Bridge
- The Benicia–Martinez Bridge
- The Carquinez Bridge
- The Dumbarton Bridge
- Golden Gate bridge
- The Richmond–San Rafael Bridge
- The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
- The San Mateo–Hayward Bridge
Read on to learn more about each bridge with their toll maps, toll rates including the toll on i-80 in California.
The Antioch Bridge
The Antioch Bridge spans the San Joaquin River, connecting northeastern Contra Costa County to Sacramento County.
How much do tolls cost on the Antioch Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
The Benicia-Martinez Bridge
The Benicia-Martinez Bridge [4] crosses the Carquinez Strait along Interstate 680 (I-680) and connects the cities of Benicia and Martinez.
How much do tolls cost on the Benicia-Martinez Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
Carquinez Bridge
The Carquinez Bridge spans the Carquinez Strait at the northeastern end of the San Francisco Bay along Interstate 80 (I-80) and links the cities of Crockett and Vallejo.
How much do tolls cost on the Carquinez Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
The Dumbarton Bridge
The Dumbarton Bridge [5] crosses the San Francisco Bay along State Route 82 (SR-82) and links the cities of Fremont and Menlo Park
How much do tolls cost on the Dumbarton Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
Golden Gate Bridge
Main article: Golden Gate Bridge toll The Golden Gate Bridge[6] links the City of San Francisco with the County of Marin along U.S. Route 101
How much do tolls cost on the Golden Gate Bridge
| No. of Axles | FasTrak Rate (all hours) | One Time Payment/License Plate Account Rate (all hours) | Invoice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $8.75 | $9.00 | $9.75 |
| 3 | $26.25 | $27.00 | $29.25 |
| 4 | $35.00 | $36.00 | $39.00 |
| 5 | $43.75 | $45.00 | $48.75 |
| 6 | $52.50 | $54.00 | $58.50 |
| 7+ | $61.25 | $63.00 | $68.25 |
Refer to the Golden Gate Bridge tolls for details of toll rates, toll payment methods and more.
The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge [7] crosses the San Francisco Bay along Interstate 580 (I-580) and links the cities of Richmond and San Rafael.
How much do tolls cost on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge[8] links the cities of Oakland and San Francisco and crosses the San Francisco Bay along I-80.
How much do tolls cost on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
The San Mateo-Hayward Bridge
The San Mateo-Hayward Bridge[9]crosses the San Francisco Bay along State Route 92 (SR-92) and links the cities of Foster City and Hayward.
How much do tolls cost on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge
| No. of Axles | Toll Rate (all hours) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $7 |
| 3 | $17 |
| 4 | $22 |
| 5 | $27 |
| 6 | $32 |
| 7+ | $37 |
The 17-Mile Drive [10] is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. The drive serves as the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Inside this community, nonresidents need to pay a toll to use the road.
California express lanes
Currently, there are the following five express lanes in California:
- 91 express lanes: The 91 Express Lanes is a four-lane, 18-mile toll road built in the median of State Route (SR)-91 between the SR-55/SR-91 interchange and the SR-91/Interstate (I)-15 interchange.
- I-10 and I-110 Express lanes: The I-10 and I-110 Express Lanes are located in Los Angeles County. The I-10 Express Lanes run along the El Monte Busway and the I-10 Freeway, while the I-110 Express Lanes are located on the Harbor Transitway and the I-110 Freeway. Managed by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
- I-15 Express Lanes: The I-15 Express Lanes are located in San Diego County and provide a faster route for commuters on the I-15 Freeway. Managed by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
- I-580 Express Lanes: The I-580 Express Lanes span approximately 10 miles from Hacienda Drive in Pleasanton to Greenville Road in Livermore in the eastbound direction, and approximately 12 miles from Greenville Road to just before the I-680 overpass in Dublin in the westbound direction.
- I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes: The I-680 Contra Costa Express Lane runs southbound from Martinez to San Ramon and northbound from San Ramon to Walnut Creek.
How are tolls calculated for trucks in California
Trucks in California pay tolls based on the number of axles. Tolls mainly vary based on the number of axles and how far you have travelled on California toll roads, bridges and express lanes. For 3-4 axles vehicles, you have to pay two times the toll for 2 axle vehicles and 5 axles vehicles pay tolls three times the toll for 2 axle vehicles.
Trucks are not allowed on the SR-91 Express lanes.
Does Califonia have truck-only lanes
Currently, California has two truck-only toll road lanes.
- Northbound and southbound I-5 in Los Angeles County at the State Route 14 split.
- Southbound I-5 in Kern County at the State Route 99 junction near the Grapevine.
Truckers can calculate toll costs for trucks using Truck Toll Calculator along compliant routes.
What toll pass does California use
The only toll pass that California state issues and accepts is FasTrak. FasTrak holds good on almost all the California toll facilities.To date, five separate tolling agencies in California have distributed more than 2.5 million FasTrak® transponders. It's important to get a transponder from the agency that operates the road, lane or bridge you will use most. Each tolling agency has its own rules and minimum requirements.
Pay toll in California
Main article: How to Pay Toll in California
In California, you can pay tolls via the Fastrak system, via Pay by plate video toll system, cash, phone or by mail. A NationalPass can also be used to pay tolls.
However, do note that the various toll payment methods in California do not apply throughout its toll roads, bridges and other tolled facilities. Like, some may accept cash while others don't. Electronic tag transponder is the preferred method of payment.
Pay missed toll in California
Main article: How to Pay Missed Toll in California
In California, if you pass a toll lane without valid FasTrak or other toll payment accounts, it is considered missed toll. In such a case, the tolling agency sends the vehicle owner a toll invoice. You have to follow the instruction on the invoice to pay toll either online or offline within stipulated time to avoid its escalation.
Learn more about missed toll payment methods in California.
What toll pass does California use: FasTrak
The only toll pass that California state issues and accepts is FasTrak. FasTrak holds good on almost all the California toll facilities.
This electronic toll collection system works the same as an EZ-Pass however, the two toll tags are different. E-ZPass is not valid in California while FasTrak does not work in 17 E-ZPass states on the east coast. You can place it on your windshield and the relevant toll payment(s) shall be deducted from your linked bank account every time you cross the toll roads, toll bridges, and high-occupancy toll lanes along the California Freeway and Expressway System. The FasTrak toll tag comes in various account types and a carpool variant: FasTrak Flex.
California toll roads and other toll facilities agencies and contacts
The following agencies manage California toll roads, bridges and express lanes. For any questions about toll payment methods or your toll bill, please get in touch with the respective agency.
Calculate tolls for California and other states in the US
Calculate routes, tolls and fuel costs for your travel by car, truck, taxi, bus, caravans (with or without a trailer) in California and other states of the US using TollGuru Trip Calculator. It also shows the cheapest, fastest and other optimal routes to your destination along with toll plaza(s) location en route, payment methods and more.
Rideshare, OEM, TMS, fleet companies and other transport businesses can leverage toll intelligence by integrating with the TollGuru Toll API for pre-trip calculation and post-trip reconciliation.
FAQs
See also
References
- ↑ Most Expensive Toll Roads in America
- ↑ South Bay Expressway (SR 125 toll road)
- ↑ Eastern Transportation Corridor
- ↑ Benicia–Martinez Bridge
- ↑ Dumbarton Bridge
- ↑ Golden Gate bridge
- ↑ Richmond–San Rafael Bridge
- ↑ The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
- ↑ San Mateo–Hayward Bridge
- ↑ 17-Mile Drive
- ↑ Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District
- ↑ San Diego Association of Governments
- ↑ Bay Area Toll Authority
- ↑ Pebble Beach Corporation
- ↑ Eastern Transportation Corridor system
- ↑ Orange County Transportation Authority
- ↑ FasTrak
