Quick Summary
- From 2026 the standard Bay Bridge toll for two axle cars has risen to around eight dollars fifty, with further small increases planned through 2030.
- Rental cars pay Bay Bridge tolls electronically, usually through a built in tag or licence plate billing system managed by the rental company.
- On a Hola Car Rentals booking, bridge tolls sit alongside local fuel and parking costs, so planning crossings in advance helps keep your San Francisco budget on track.
What changes on the Bay Bridge in 2026
The San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge is part of a family of state owned Bay Area bridges whose tolls increase in small steps from 2026 onwards. For a standard two axle car, including most rental vehicles, the base toll has risen from eight dollars to about eight dollars fifty. The updated toll schedule continues to increase rates by around fifty cents per year up to 2030, creating a predictable slope rather than a single sharp jump.
The Bay Bridge still charges westbound only when you drive toward San Francisco, with no toll collected on the return to Oakland. Tolls are all electronic, using FasTrak tags, pre registered licence plates or billed invoices. Paying with FasTrak usually gives the lowest rate, while invoices posted to the registered owner are the most expensive option.
How Bay Bridge tolls are handled for rental cars
Rental cars crossing the Bay Bridge use the same gantries as any other vehicle, but payment routes are different because the registered owner is the rental company. Most suppliers use one of three systems. The first is an on board FasTrak style tag, where each toll triggers a charge plus a daily or per use service fee. The second is a number plate programme that sends tolls to the rental company account, again with a handling fee. A third option, used by some partners, lets you bring your own transponder and link it to the vehicle at the desk.
Charges can appear in two stages. If your rental includes a daily toll package, you might see a fixed amount for each day the programme is active, regardless of whether you cross once or several times. With pay as you go plans, you will see each toll listed individually along with a per use fee. Because invoices from the bridge authority can take time to settle, some toll charges may post to your card after you return home.
Estimating the extra cost for your trip
To gauge the impact on your budget, start by counting how many days you realistically expect to cross the Bay Bridge. A long weekend based entirely in San Francisco might use the bridge only when you arrive and again when you leave, while travellers staying in Oakland and touring wine country or Marin could cross several times. At the new base rate, a couple of crossings add only a small amount to the total cost of your hire, but a week of daily trips can add a noticeable sum once service fees are included.
If you are flying into SFO and want a simple starting point, planning your car rental from the airport makes it easy to head straight onto Highway 101 or Interstate 80 without hunting for a depot downtown. From there you can decide whether to stay on the San Francisco side and use transit, or base yourself in the East Bay and treat the bridge as part of the daily routine.
How Hola Car Rentals helps you manage tolls
Hola Car Rentals already highlights toll policies in the booking details, so you can see whether a partner uses a daily toll package, a pay per crossing model or a bring your own tag approach. Transparent information lets you compare packages instead of guessing how much each bridge will cost by the end of the week.
Many travellers appreciate pairing that clarity with benefits such as All Inclusive plus protection, maximum liability coverage on selected itineraries and cashback on tolls where available. By combining a clear toll policy with no hidden local office fees and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up, Hola Car Rentals helps keep your Bay Bridge crossings a predictable line in the budget rather than an unwelcome surprise.
If the bridge is only one part of a wider California tour, it can be worth choosing a vehicle that balances city agility and highway comfort. Compact cars work well for tight San Francisco streets, while SUV rentals from SFO and spacious minivans at the airport provide room for luggage and passengers on longer drives. You can also compare prices on other busy bridge cities such as Miami if you are planning several US trips in a single year.
FAQs
- Do I pay the Bay Bridge toll in both directions? No. For standard cars and light trucks, the toll is collected only in the westbound direction when you drive toward San Francisco. The eastbound return to Oakland is toll free.
- Is FasTrak cheaper than paying by invoice in a rental car? In general FasTrak rates are lower, but with a rental car the key question is how the supplier charges service fees. A daily convenience package can be good value if you cross often, while occasional users might prefer a pay as you go model.
- Are Bay Bridge tolls included in my Hola Car Rentals rate? No. Bridge tolls are separate local charges. Hola Car Rentals shows the toll policy used by each partner so you understand how and when the bridge cost will be collected.
- Can I avoid the Bay Bridge entirely during a San Francisco visit? Yes. You can stay entirely on the San Francisco side, use ferries or transit to reach the East Bay, or route longer road trips south toward the Peninsula and Monterey Bay without using the bridge at all.
