How to Drive on Toll Roads in California

Are you planning an epic adventure to the Golden State? Prepare for your journey by finding the perfect Budget location in CA while learning about California tolls and what to expect when traveling on them. We make California highway tolls no big deal to help you have a stress-free travel experience.

How Tolls Work in California

California tolls are integral to the state’s strategy to manage traffic flow and fund infrastructure projects across a vast network of bridges, highways, and express lanes. The Golden State primarily uses an electronic tolling system (FasTrak) to streamline the process and reduce traffic congestion.

Some California highway tolls can be paid using cash, though the state continues to move toward a cashless system. You can also use Budget e-Toll for a stop-free journey. 

High Occupancy Tolls / Express Lanes in California

In California, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, commonly called Express Lanes, offer a unique traffic management solution to reduce congestion on heavily traveled corridors. Vehicles with more than one person inside can drive in these lanes for free. Solo drivers must pay a toll to use Express Lanes. 

Express Lanes are on several major freeways throughout California, including in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. These lanes are particularly beneficial during peak travel times, providing a faster travel option. (Source) 

Must-Know Tollways in California

Bay Area Bridges

There are eight tolled bridges in the Bay Area of California:

• Antioch Bridge (SR 160): The Antioch Bridge connects Antioch in Contra Costa County with Sacramento County across the San Joaquin River. It is a vital link facilitating travel between the Central Valley and the eastern Bay Area suburbs. Traffic traveling northbound must pay tolls. (Source)

• Benicia-Martinez Bridge (I-680): This includes three parallel bridges spanning the Carquinez Strait, linking Benicia in Solano County with Martinez in Contra Costa County. The middle bridge is only for train traffic. Tolls are only collected for northbound traffic. (Source)

• Carquinez Bridge (I-80): Comprising two separate bridge spans, the Carquinez Bridge connects Vallejo on the north and Crockett on the south across the Carquinez Strait. It serves as a major arterial route in the northern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Drivers traveling eastbound must pay the toll. (Source)

• Dunbarton Bridge (SR 84): Running across the southern part of San Francisco Bay, the Dumbarton Bridge connects Menlo Park on the west with Fremont on the east, serving as a critical commute route for traffic between the East Bay and Silicon Valley. Tolls are only collected from drivers going westbound. (Source)

• Golden Gate Bridge (US 101/SR 1): Perhaps the most iconic bridge in the state, the Golden Gate Bridge spans the Golden Gate, the strait that serves as the entrance to San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It connects San Francisco to Marin County, serving as a major tourist attraction and critical transportation link. Southbound traffic must pay the toll. (Source)

• Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (I-580): Spanning San Francisco Bay, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge connects Richmond in Contra Costa County to San Rafael in Marin County. This bridge helps manage traffic flow between the North Bay and East Bay. Westbound traffic must pay the toll. (Source)

• San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (I-80): Known as the Bay Bridge, this complex of bridges spans San Francisco Bay, connecting San Francisco with Oakland. It features two major sections linked by a tunnel through Yerba Buena Island. All westbound traffic must pay the toll. (Source)

• San Mateo-Hayward Bridge (SR 92): Crossing the San Francisco Bay, the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge connects the East Bay with Foster City, a suburb of San Mateo. Tolls are only collected from westbound traffic. (Source)

   

17-Mile Drive (SR 68)

• Length: 17 miles (27 km)

• Speed Limit: 25 mph (Source)

• Major City/Cities Served: Pebble Beach, Monterey, Pacific Grove

17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, renowned for its picturesque coastal landscapes, majestic forests, and iconic golf courses. This privately managed roadway charges an entrance fee at its gates, providing access to famous natural landmarks like the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, and the spectacular views at Point Joe. This drive also winds past several world-famous golf courses. The toll is reimbursed when visitors spend $35 or more at Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants or stay at specific hotels along the drive. (Source) (Source2)

SR 133, SR 241, and SR 261 in Orange County

• Speed Limit: 55–65 mph

• Major City/Cities Served: Irvine, Anaheim, Orange, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Mission Viejo, Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita

This network of California toll roads includes sections on State Routes 133, 241, and 261. The corridor provides a crucial north-south route that alleviates traffic from the often congested I-5, connecting several major cities. SR 241 in particular traverses eastern Orange County, offering scenic views and a more efficient alternative to the busy I-5 and SR 91 routes. (Source) (Source)

State Route 73

• Length: 17.7 miles (28.6 km)

• Speed Limit: 55–65 mph

• Major City/Cities Served: Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach

State Route 73, also known as the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, is a toll road in Orange County offering a scenic and less congested alternative to the often busy I-5 and I-405. This California highway toll road is a popular choice for commuters and travelers seeking faster passage through the central part of the county. (Source)

San Diego "South Bay Expressway" (SR 125)

• Length: 22.3 miles (35.9 km)

• Speed Limit: 55–65 mph (Source)

• Major City/Cities Served: San Diego, El Cajon

Designated as State Route 125, the San Diego South Bay Expressway is a toll road stretching from the Otay Mesa border crossing to Spring Valley, where it connects with SR 54. This expressway is a crucial transportation link in the southern part of San Diego County, offering a fast and efficient route for commuters, commercial traffic, and travelers. (Source)

*Toll rates, road distances, and speed limits subject to change.

*Toll road information provided on this page is current as of June 2024. Toll road information is subject to change without notice.