“Bloop!”
It’s easy to drive across one of the Bay Area’s bridges, hear that distinctive noise from your FastTrak, and not even process the fact that you’ve just spent more than a McDonald’s meal for five cost in the 1990s.
The Bay Area’s bridge tolls are expensive. They’ve already spiked once this year, and they’re going up again on January 1.
But that’s just the beginning.
The January Spike
So far this year, tolls have already increased by $1 from $7 to $8. Now, on January 1 2026, they are set to go up again on many bridges to $8.50.
A $1.5 increase over one year may not feel like much. But with 260 workdays in a typical year, you’re talking about an extra increase of $390 for many Bay Area commuters.
The increase applies to the seven state-owned toll bridges:
- San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
- San Mateo–Hayward Bridge
- Dumbarton Bridge
- Richmond–San Rafael Bridge
- Carquinez Bridge
- Benicia–Martinez Bridge
- Antioch Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge–feeling superior, no doubt–is in its own district and sets rates separately. They’re already higher, at $9.75 per crossing.
This Is Just the Beginning
January 2026’s spike will sting a bit right away. But it’s just the first in many additional planned hikes over the next few years.
Here’s the schedule (for FastTrak customers–tourists and visitors without a FastTrak pay even more):
Planned Increases
2025: $8.00 (current rate)
2026: $8.50
2027: $9.00
2028: $9.50
2029: $10.00
2030: $10.50
At those rates, a commuter might pay $2,730 per year in tolls by 2030–ouch!
Why are tolls going up again?
Bay Area transportation officials say the new money is legally earmarked for keeping the bridges in working shape, not for new megaprojects.
According to the Bay Area Toll Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Commission:
- The revenue from the 50 cent annual increases from 2026 through 2030 must be used exclusively for maintenance, rehabilitation, and operation of the Bay Bridge and the six other state-owned spans.
- Major projects include repainting and preserving the 88-year-old Bay Bridge’s towers, strengthening foundations, and replacing aging components that are costly to maintain.
Officials have openly acknowledged that the hikes will sting in a region already grappling with high housing, food, and utility costs, but argue that letting the bridges deteriorate would be far more expensive in the long run.
So, what can we do? Well, you can carpool. A true 3-person carpool (not an EV with a sticker) gets 50% off normal toll rates.
And, there’s always BART. A ride from where I live in the 925 to San Francisco costs $6.10. Just saying…
