If you’re driving California’s toll roads and bridges, you’ve probably wondered what you’re actually paying for beyond the tolls themselves. The FasTrak cost isn’t just about the price of crossing a bridge—it’s about monthly fees, transponder deposits, violation penalties, and confusing rules that change depending on where you drive. We’ll break down every expense you need to know so you can keep more money in your pocket.
Understanding FasTrak: It’s Not One System
Here’s what confuses most drivers: FasTrak isn’t a single company. It’s actually a network of different agencies across California. Your transponder works everywhere, but each agency sets its own rules, fees, and toll rates.
Northern California is controlled mainly by the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), which manages seven state-owned bridges. Southern California is a patchwork of agencies like LA Metro, The Toll Roads in Orange County, and the 91 Express Lanes.
This matters because the agency holding your account determines what you pay in fees—not necessarily where you drive.
Monthly Fees: The Hidden FasTrak Cost
Some agencies charge you just to keep an account open. Others don’t.
Bay Area (BATA): $0 monthly fee
LA Metro: $1 per month (waived for low-income drivers)
91 Express Lanes: $2 per month (waived for certain account types)
The Toll Roads (Orange County): $0 monthly fee
SANDAG (San Diego): $0 monthly fee (currently suspended)
If you live in Los Angeles but open a Bay Area FasTrak account, you skip the $1 monthly fee. Your transponder still works on LA Metro lanes—you just save $12 every year. It’s a simple workaround that most people don’t know about.
Transponder Costs: What You’ll Pay Upfront
You need a physical transponder to use FasTrak. The type you need depends on whether you carpool.
FasTrak Flex (Switchable Transponder)
This hard-case device has a switch (1, 2, 3+) that tells the system how many people are in your car. You must have this type to get carpool discounts on Express Lanes.
Bay Area pricing: $20 deposit, but it’s waived if you link a credit card for automatic payments. That makes it free for most people.
Southern California pricing: Around $11 to purchase outright through The Toll Roads, or bundled into a prepaid balance requirement ($40-$50) for the 91 Express Lanes.
Sticker Transponder
These are small RFID stickers you attach to your windshield. They’re usually free or cost $1-$2.
The catch? Sticker transponders can’t declare carpool status. Even if you’re driving with three people, the system charges you the solo toll rate. Most drivers don’t realize this until they see their bill.
The Costco Trick
Here’s a tip that saves you money immediately: buy your transponder at Costco or Albertsons.
You’ll pay about $45 for the bundle. When you activate it, your account gets credited with $50. That’s an instant $5 profit—an 11% return just for buying through retail instead of directly from the agency.
Bay Area Bridge Tolls: The Scheduled Increases
If you cross any of the seven Bay Area state-owned bridges (Bay Bridge, Dumbarton, San Mateo-Hayward, etc.), tolls are rising every single year through 2030.
| Year | Base Toll (2-Axle) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $8.00 |
| 2026 | $8.50 |
| 2027 | $9.00 |
| 2028 | $9.50 |
| 2029 | $10.00 |
| 2030 | $10.50 |
By 2030, your daily commute across the bridge could cost over $21 round-trip if you cross twice. That’s $5,250 per year for a standard work schedule.
The Golden Gate Bridge Costs More
The Golden Gate Bridge operates independently and charges even more. As of 2025, the FasTrak rate is $9.25, with Pay-As-You-Go at $9.50 and invoice (mail) at $10.25.
Carpools (3+ people) get a discount down to about $7.25, but only during specific hours: 5:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM. Outside those windows, everyone pays the full toll.
Coming in 2027: Tiered Pricing Based on Payment Method
Starting in 2027, BATA will charge different rates depending on how you pay:
FasTrak tag: Base rate ($9.00 in 2027)
License plate account: Base + $0.25 ($9.25)
Invoice (mail): Base + $1.00 ($10.00)
This means not having a FasTrak tag will cost you an extra $260 per year if you cross a bridge daily.
Southern California Express Lanes: Dynamic Pricing Means Unpredictable Costs
Unlike the fixed bridge tolls up north, Southern California uses congestion pricing. The toll changes based on how crowded the lanes are.
LA Metro ExpressLanes (I-10 and I-110)
Tolls adjust every few minutes to keep traffic moving at 45 mph. As of October 2025, the maximum rate is $3.10 per mile.
For an 11-mile trip on the I-10 during peak traffic, you could pay over $34 one way.
Carpool rules are confusing:
- I-10: HOV 3+ is always free. HOV 2+ is free off-peak but pays full price during rush hour (5-9 AM, 4-7 PM).
- I-110: HOV 2+ is free 24/7.
If you get this wrong, you’ll either pay when you shouldn’t or risk a violation.
91 Express Lanes: The “Super Peak” Premium
The 91 Express Lanes between Orange and Riverside counties adjusts tolls quarterly based on traffic volume. Friday afternoon westbound trips regularly hit $15-$20.
Here’s a costly mistake: On eastbound trips, Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00 PM, even HOV 3+ vehicles aren’t free—they get only a 50% discount. Most carpoolers don’t know this and end up paying when they thought they wouldn’t.
The Toll Roads (Orange County)
The SR-73, 133, 241, and 261 use time-of-day pricing. A full trip on the SR-73 costs $3 to over $11 depending on when you drive.
If you don’t have FasTrak, you can pay online within five days using “Toll-by-Plate,” but it costs $1-$2 extra per trip.
San Diego Toll Roads
The I-15 Express Lanes use dynamic pricing similar to LA Metro. The SR-125 (South Bay Expressway) has one of the biggest gaps between FasTrak and cash rates in the state—nearly 40% more if you don’t have an account.
The Clean Air Vehicle Discount Ended in October 2025
If you drive an electric vehicle, you used to get free or discounted tolls with a Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal. That program expired on September 30, 2025.
Starting October 1, 2025, solo EV drivers pay the same tolls as everyone else. No more discounts.
For someone who was paying $2.50 per trip with the discount, the cost jumped to $5.00. That’s an extra $100 per month for a typical commuter, or $1,200 annually.
Your CAV transponder still works—you just need to set the switch to position “1” (solo) when driving alone. Otherwise, you’ll get a violation for falsely claiming carpool status.
Violation Penalties: The Real FasTrak Cost Trap
If you cross a toll point without a valid account or enough money in your balance, you’ll get a violation notice in the mail. The penalties vary wildly by agency.
Bay Area: The Reasonable Approach
BATA drastically reduced its penalties to make them less punitive:
First notice: $5 penalty + the toll ($8) = $13 total
Second notice: $15 penalty + toll = $23 total
BATA also offers a first-time waiver. If you open a FasTrak account and pay the toll, they’ll forgive the penalty.
Southern California: Much Harsher
The Toll Roads: $57.50 penalty on the first notice. A second notice adds another $42.50. A single $3 toll can turn into over $100 in debt.
LA Metro: $8 processing fee + $17 past due + $30 delinquent = $55 in penalties. Starting February 2026, the processing fee rises to $9.
91 Express Lanes: Starts at $25, escalating to $100+.
The DMV Registration Hold
If you don’t pay, agencies can block your vehicle registration renewal until you settle the debt. This tactic is used aggressively in Southern California but less so in the Bay Area.
Low-Income Discount Programs
If you qualify based on income, you can cut your FasTrak cost significantly.
Bay Area FasTrak START
Offers a 50% discount on tolls for the I-880 Express Lane if your household earns under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $31,300 for a single person in 2025).
BATA also offers payment plans for outstanding violation debt if you’re struggling financially. The plan freezes penalties and lifts DMV holds once you make the first payment.
LA Metro Low-Income Assistance Plan (LIAP)
Benefits:
- Waives the $1 monthly fee
- Provides a one-time $25 credit toward your account
You must live in Los Angeles County and earn less than 200% of the poverty level. If you commute from San Bernardino or Riverside into LA, you won’t qualify because of the residency requirement.
Smart Strategies to Lower Your FasTrak Cost
Open a Bay Area Account Even If You Live in Southern California
Since there’s no monthly fee and the transponder works statewide, Bay Area accounts save you money if you don’t qualify for local discounts. Over five years, you’ll save $60-$120 in maintenance fees alone.
Buy Transponders at Costco or Albertsons
You get more value than buying direct from the agency. Pay $45, get $50 in toll credits—it’s free money.
Always Use the Correct Transponder Switch Setting
Leaving your FasTrak Flex in the wrong position costs you. In “3+” while driving solo? You risk a $400 HOV violation from the California Highway Patrol. In “1” while carpooling? You pay tolls you don’t owe—potentially $30+ per day.
How Much Does FasTrak Really Cost You?
Here’s a realistic annual breakdown for a typical Bay Area commuter:
Bridge tolls (daily round-trip, 250 work days): 2 x $8.00 x 250 = $4,000
Monthly maintenance fee (if using LA Metro account): $12/year
Transponder: $0 (if using Bay Area account with credit card)
Total: About $4,012 per year
For a Southern California express lane commuter using the I-10 at moderate traffic:
Express lane tolls (avg $8/trip, twice daily, 250 days): 2 x $8 x 250 = $4,000
Monthly fee (LA Metro): $12
Transponder: $11 (one-time)
Total first year: $4,023
If you were an EV driver with the Clean Air Vehicle discount before October 2025, add another $1,200-$3,000 to these figures depending on your routes.
The Bottom Line on FasTrak Cost
The FasTrak cost in 2025 depends on where you drive, which agency holds your account, and whether you know the system’s tricks. Bay Area bridge tolls are rising $0.50 every year through 2030. Southern California express lanes can spike into the $30+ range during peak traffic. Monthly fees, violation penalties, and the loss of EV discounts all add up fast.
Your best move? Open a Bay Area account to avoid monthly fees, buy transponders through retail for instant savings, and stay vigilant about your switch settings if you carpool. The agencies aren’t going to tell you how to save money—now you know.
