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Golden Gate Bridge Toll with a Rental Car

Driving a rental car across the Golden Gate Bridge? The toll is $9.75, but rental companies add convenience fees of $4.95-$5.95 per day on top. A single bridge crossing on a week-long rental can cost you over $40. Here is how to avoid that.

The Surprise Fee Problem

When you cross the Golden Gate Bridge in a rental car, the toll plaza cameras photograph the car's plate. The rental company matches that plate to your rental agreement, pays the $9.75 toll on your behalf, then charges you the toll plus a daily "TollPass" convenience fee for every day of your rental period.

Example: One bridge crossing on a 7-day rental

Actual toll$9.75
TollPass fee ($4.95 x 7 days)$34.65
Total charged to your card$44.40

Rental Company Toll Fees

CompanyProgram NameDaily FeeMax Per Rental
HertzPlatePass$5.95$29.75
EnterpriseTollPass$4.95$24.75
AvisPlatePass$5.95$29.75
BudgetPlatePass$5.95$29.75
NationalTollPass$4.95$24.75
AlamoTollPass$4.95$24.75

Fees are in addition to the actual toll. Rates as of 2026 - check with your rental company for current pricing.

How to Avoid the Convenience Fee

1

Pay the toll yourself within 48 hours

Recommended

After crossing the bridge, go to bayareafastrak.org/paytoll. Enter the rental car's license plate number (found on your rental agreement or on the car itself) and the date you crossed. Pay the $9.75 toll directly. Keep the confirmation email as proof.

2

Decline the toll program at the counter

Ask first

When picking up your rental, tell the agent you want to opt out of their automatic toll program. Say: "I'd like to opt out of PlatePass/TollPass. I'll pay any bridge tolls directly." Not all locations allow this, but it's worth asking.

3

Bring your own FasTrak transponder

Best rate

If you have a Bay Area FasTrak account, bring your transponder and stick it to the rental car windshield. You'll be charged $8.75 (the FasTrak rate) instead of $9.75, and no rental company fee. Remember to remove it when you return the car.

4

Call (877) BAY-TOLL within 48 hours

Alternative

If you prefer to pay by phone, call the FasTrak customer service line and provide the rental car's plate number and your crossing date. They can process the payment over the phone with a credit or debit card.

What to Say at the Rental Counter

"I'd like to opt out of your automatic toll program. I'll be paying any bridge tolls directly through the FasTrak website within 48 hours of crossing."

Some agents may say it is not possible to opt out, or that the fee is unavoidable. In most cases, you can still pay the toll yourself within 48 hours and then dispute the rental company's charge with your credit card company if they still bill you. The key is having proof that you paid the toll directly.

Already Got Charged? How to Dispute

If you paid the toll yourself but the rental company also charged you, follow these steps:

  1. Gather your proof of payment (confirmation email from bayareafastrak.org or phone payment receipt)
  2. Contact the rental company's customer service and provide your rental agreement number and payment proof
  3. Request a reversal of both the toll charge and the daily convenience fee
  4. If they refuse, dispute the charge with your credit card company - include your payment proof showing you already paid the toll directly

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a rental car company charge for the Golden Gate Bridge toll?
Most rental companies charge the $9.75 toll plus a daily convenience fee of $4.95 to $5.95 per day (not per crossing). This fee applies to every day of your rental, not just the day you crossed the bridge. The maximum cap varies by company but is typically $24.75 to $34.65 per rental. For a single bridge crossing on a week-long rental, you could pay $40 or more in fees on top of the actual $9.75 toll.
How do I avoid rental car toll fees on the Golden Gate Bridge?
The simplest way is to pay the toll yourself within 48 hours of crossing. Go to bayareafastrak.org/paytoll, enter the rental car's license plate number and the date you crossed, and pay the $9.75 toll directly. Then call the rental company to opt out of their toll program for that crossing. You can also decline the toll program entirely at the counter when you pick up the car, but make sure you pay any tolls yourself within 48 hours.
Can I use my own FasTrak transponder in a rental car?
Yes. If you have a personal FasTrak account, you can bring your transponder and mount it on the rental car's windshield. The toll will be charged to your FasTrak account at the discounted $8.75 rate instead of the $9.75 pay-by-plate rate. Just remember to take your transponder with you when you return the car. This is the cheapest option if you plan multiple bridge crossings.
What if I already got charged a toll fee by the rental company?
If you paid the toll yourself but the rental company also charged you, contact the rental company's customer service with your payment receipt from bayareafastrak.org. Most companies will reverse the charge if you can prove you paid the toll directly. If the company refuses, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. Keep all receipts and payment confirmations.
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