The E-ZPass system has 17 states connected within a network of toll roads, tunnels, and bridges.
If you plan to visit the California area soon, please consider that E-ZPass is not compatible with the toll collection system used across the state, FasTrak.
Before going out, all motorists must acknowledge that, in some cases, it is impossible to go through toll lanes without a transponder.
Due to this, it’s highly recommended to request a FasTrak transponder as soon as possible if your road map includes toll roads, bridges, or lanes.
California has five tolling agencies; they are different and apply specific rules and requirements.
Toll agencies in California
If you want to acquire more information about California’s different toll agencies, we list all the websites.
- In Los Angeles, you can visit the Metro ExpressLanes website for more information.
- As for San Diego, visit the Interstate 15 Express Lanes site. For the South Bayway Express Way, please visit this website instead.
- As for Orange County, you can see the 91 Freeway ExpressLanes website.
- Santa Clara Valley drivers who travel through State Route 237 frequently must visit this website.
- In Alameda, there are two websites, Interstate 580 and Interstate 680.
- Visit the Interstate 680 Express Lanes website if you travel through Contra Costa.
- There are two websites in San Francisco: one for the Bay Area Bridges and the other for the Golden Gate Bridge.
Is it necessary to get FasTrak if I want to travel to California?
As we said above, it is only necessary to travel through the toll roads, lanes, and bridges we mention above. Otherwise, you won’t need it to only produce unnecessary expenses for you in the long-run.
Still, in California, there are only a few toll booths that accept cash. The rest have been optimized for using the electronic toll-collection system, and it has become the preferred way of paying for the tolls for most drivers and authorities in general.
It is time-saving and makes you save money in the long-term.
Also, there is a reason why multiple websites exist. If you travel through one of the lanes mentioned above, you must acquire a transponder from the respective agency in charge of that location.
Remember that each one has different rules and will ask you for additional information while signing up.
If you possess a sticker transponder, you can be sure you will be able to pay on all toll booths that exist in California.
However, you will be required to pay the full fee, even if you’re eligible for discounts.
FasTrak Flex
FasTrak Flex can be acquired by those drivers interested in discounted toll rates.
In some cases, they may even get them for free. These devices are also known as “switchable transponders” due to the existence of a switch that allows you to specify the number of people traveling with you in the vehicle.
FasTrak Flex is similar to the E-ZPass Flex, an expansion of the standard service.