Planning a drive across the SR 520 bridge or through the SR 99 tunnel? You’ll need a Good to Go pass — and fast. This guide covers every place you can buy one, which pass fits your vehicle, and how to dodge those nasty penalty fees. Stick around to the end, because missing one step here can cost you real money.
What Is a Good to Go Pass?
The Good to Go! pass is Washington State’s electronic toll transponder. Stick it on your vehicle, link it to an account, and tolls get deducted automatically as you drive through.
Without one, you’ll pay significantly more per trip — sometimes up to $2 extra every single crossing. Drive a toll road daily? That adds up to hundreds of dollars a year in avoidable penalties.
The Good to Go! system covers these Washington State toll facilities:
- SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge
- SR 99 tunnel under downtown Seattle
- I-405 express toll lanes
- SR 167 high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes
- Tacoma Narrows Bridge
- SR 509 Expressway (expanding)
Which Pass Do You Actually Need?
Before you buy, pick the right pass. There are four types, and choosing the wrong one wastes money.
| Pass Type | Cost (Pre-Tax) | Best For | Transfers Between Vehicles? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sticker Pass | $5.00 | Most standard cars | No |
| Flex Pass | $15.00 | Carpoolers on I-405/SR 167 | Yes |
| License Plate Pass | $12.00 | Cars with metallic/insulated windshields | Yes |
| Motorcycle Pass | $8.00 | Motorcycles | No |
Sticker Pass
This is the most popular option. It’s a small adhesive tag that sticks permanently to the inside of your windshield. Once it’s on, it’s on — the internal antenna breaks if you peel it off. Don’t even try to move it to another car.
At $5, it gets you the lowest available toll rate on every Washington toll road. Perfect for commuters with one car.
Flex Pass
The Flex Pass costs $15 but does something the Sticker Pass can’t — it has a manual toggle switch that lets you declare your carpool status. Flip it to “HOV mode” when you’ve got passengers, and you travel the I-405 and SR 167 express toll lanes completely free.
It mounts with dual-lock strips, so you can move it between vehicles registered to your account. If you carpool regularly, this pass pays for itself fast.
License Plate Pass
Some modern cars have metallic or thermally insulated windshields that block the radio signal from interior transponders. If your car has that kind of glass, a Sticker or Flex Pass won’t work reliably.
The License Plate Pass screws onto the top edge of your front license plate bracket instead. It’s weather-resistant and transfers to a new vehicle when you move it and update your account. Check your owner’s manual or ask your dealership before buying an interior pass.
Motorcycle Pass
Motorcycles don’t have the right windshield for standard passes. This $8 clear adhesive tag sticks directly to your front headlamp. It also automatically signals your motorcycle status to toll sensors, which means you ride the I-405 and SR 167 express lanes completely toll-free by law.
Where to Buy Good to Go Pass: All Your Options
Now the main event. Here’s every place where you can actually get one.
Option 1: Buy Online at MyGoodToGo.com
The cleanest, most reliable option is the official state portal at MyGoodToGo.com. You can buy all four pass types here at the lowest prices — no retail markups.
Here’s the big advantage: passes ordered through your logged-in account arrive pre-activated. You don’t need to do anything extra when they show up. They’re already linked to your vehicle and ready to go.
The only downside is timing. Orders take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. If you’re driving a toll road next week, plan ahead.
This is the best option if you:
- Want the lowest price guaranteed
- Need a License Plate Pass or Motorcycle Pass
- Have time to wait for delivery
Option 2: Call the Good to Go! Customer Service Line
Can’t navigate a website? Just call. The state’s customer service center walks you through the whole process over the phone and mails the pass directly to you — pre-activated, just like the online option.
One thing that stands out here: the phone line offers translation support in over 230 languages at no cost. TTY relay service is also available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Same 7 to 10 business day delivery applies here too.
Option 3: Buy at a Retail Store
Need a pass today? Head to a local retailer. Washington State has partnered with several major grocery chains, pharmacies, and convenience stores to carry passes off the shelf.
Retailers that carry Good to Go passes include:
- Fred Meyer – Available at the customer service counter
- QFC (Quality Food Centers) – Dense coverage across the Puget Sound area
- Safeway and Albertsons – Selected locations throughout the region
- Costco – Selected warehouse locations; great if you’re already shopping there
- Walgreens – Extended hours make this handy for after-hours pickups
- 7-Eleven – Quick, convenient stops for urgent needs
Important limitations at retail locations:
- Stores only carry the Sticker Pass and Flex Pass. You cannot buy a License Plate Pass or Motorcycle Pass at any retail store.
- Not every store stocks both pass types. The state explicitly warns that inventory varies and stockouts happen, especially before new toll roads open or during summer travel season.
- Retail passes cost slightly more than buying direct — stores add a markup.
- The customer service desk (where passes are kept locked up) often closes earlier than the rest of the store. A 24-hour Safeway doesn’t mean you can grab a pass at midnight.
Pro tip: Call the specific store location before driving over. Confirm they have stock and that the customer service desk is open.
Option 4: Buy on Amazon
The Good to Go! program sells passes on Amazon for convenience. Same limitation as retail though — only Sticker and Flex passes, and they cost more than buying direct.
The critical difference from buying at a store: Amazon passes ship dormant and unactivated. When your pass arrives, you must manually log in and link it to your vehicle before using any toll road. Skip that step and the pass does nothing. You’ll still get billed at the penalty rate.
If you forget to activate an Amazon pass before crossing a toll, you’ve already paid extra for nothing.
What Happens If You Drive Without a Pass
Let’s be clear about the penalty structure so you know exactly what you’re avoiding.
Pay by Plate: If your windshield pass fails to read (improper mounting, dead transponder), cameras capture your plate and charge your account — plus a 25-cent administrative fee per trip.
Pay by Mail: If your plate isn’t registered at all, the state looks up your address through the DMV and mails you a bill. The toll rate on that bill is $2 more per trip than the standard transponder rate. Cross a bridge twice daily with no pass? That’s an extra $4 every single day — over $1,000 a year in extra fees.
The escape hatch: If you receive a Pay by Mail bill, you can open a Good to Go account and link that bill to it. The state will strip the $2-per-trip surcharges and drop your balance to the standard rate. It’s a one-time fix — and a strong nudge to buy the pass now instead.
How to Set Up Your Account
Buying the pass is step one. Your account is what actually makes it work.
Pre-Paid Account
This is the standard account for regular commuters. You fund it with a $30 minimum to start. When your balance drops below $8, the system automatically recharges your card or bank account.
Heads up on ACH (bank transfer) payments: ACH replenishment only runs twice a month on scheduled days. If your balance hits zero between transfer dates, you’ll get billed at the higher mail-in rate. Use a debit or credit card for instant auto-reload if you drive tolls daily.
Pay As You Go Account
No upfront deposit required. Tolls get charged to your credit card twice a month. You still pay the same low transponder rate — you just don’t pre-load a balance. This works well for occasional toll road users.
Temporary/Visitor Account
Renting a car in Washington? Visiting for a few weeks? A temporary account links your rental car’s plate to your credit card. You pick a closing date up to 90 days out, and the account shuts itself down automatically on that date. No calling to cancel, no getting charged for the next renter’s trips.
Walk-In Customer Service: What’s Left
If you need in-person help or want to pay with cash, your options got a lot more limited in 2020. The Bellevue and Gig Harbor walk-in centers closed permanently to cut operating costs.
The only active walk-in location left in the entire state is:
Seattle Customer Service Center
4554 9th Avenue NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98105
If you pay in cash — which the online portal and mail-in systems don’t accept — this is your only option in Washington State.
Free Passes for SR 167 Expressway
Worth knowing: WSDOT is currently giving away free Sticker Passes to residents near the new SR 167 Expressway, set to open in late 2026. If you live in that area, check the WSDOT site for the promotional code before spending anything. Why pay when the state’s handing them out?
The Smart Play
Here’s the bottom line on where to buy a Good to Go pass:
- Need it now? Head to Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Walgreens, or 7-Eleven. Call first to confirm stock.
- Have a week? Order through MyGoodToGo.com for the best price and zero activation hassle.
- Need a specialty pass? Online or by phone only — retailers don’t carry the License Plate or Motorcycle Pass.
- Just got a bill? Open an account immediately and link that bill to wipe the $2 surcharges.
Get the pass before you drive. It’s a $5 to $15 decision that saves you hundreds.
