Questions
What are express lanes?
Express Lanes are specially designated highway lanes that offer solo drivers the choice to save time by paying tolls while rewarding carpools, motorcycles, and transit riders with travel time savings for free or discounted tolls.
What are the benefits of express lanes?
Express lanes provide solo drivers the choice to pay for faster trips when needed and reward carpoolers, vanpoolers, motorcycles and transit riders with faster trips at lower or cost.
Where and when can I use them?
You can use express lanes on the following highways during the times shown. Click the links for maps of each express lane.
- I-80 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. 7 days a week
- I-580 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
- I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
- I-680 Sunol Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
- I-880 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
- US-101 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
- SR-237 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
Is FasTrak® required to use the lanes?
Yes, FasTrak® is required on all Bay Area Express Lanes. Carpools, vanpools and motorcycles can only travel toll-free free or at half-price with FasTrak Flex toll tags set to 2 or 3+. Solo drivers must have a FasTrak account to pay express lane tolls. Drivers who use the lanes without FasTrak receive toll violations. Learn more about the express lanes FasTrak® requirements.
How do I get a FasTrak® account and a FasTrak Flex® toll tag?
New to FasTrak? Open an account and get a FasTrak Flex Toll Tag:
- Online
- In Person at Costco or the FasTrak Walk-in Center
- By Phone or Mail
Learn more about getting started with FasTrak®.
Already have a FasTrak account? Each FasTrak account may have up to 4 toll tags.
- Sign in to your FasTrak account at bayareafastrak.org
- Click "manage tags & vehicle"
- Click "order a toll tag"
Who travels toll free or at a discount?
Toll-free Travelers:
- 3+ person carpools with a FasTrak Flex tag to 3+
- Motorcycles with a FasTrak Flex tag to 3+
- Vanpools with a FasTrak Flex tag to 3+
- 2-person carpools on I-680 and I-580 with a FasTrak Flex tag to 2
- 2-person carpools in 2-seater vehicles with a FasTrak Flex tag to 3+
- Transit vehicles
50% Discounted Travelers:
- 2-person carpools on I-80, I-880, US-101 and SR-237 with a FasTrak Flex tag to 2
- Income-qualified drivers enrolled in the Express Lanes START program
Who pays and how much does it cost to use express lanes?
Solo drivers pay to use the express lanes and 2-person carpools pay half-price tolls to use the express lanes on I-80, I-880, US-101 and SR-237. The amount you pay depends on how far you drive in the express lane and how heavy traffic is. Tolls increase as traffic increases and decrease as traffic decreases. The express lanes are broken down into toll zones. For example, a 20-mile express lane could have 4 or 5 toll zones. Overhead signs tell you how much you'll pay to travel in that zone and to a destination beyond that zone. The cost for a single zone may range from $0.50 to $15.00 depending on traffic and location of the zone.
Where do cars enter and exit the express lanes?
Some express lanes have specific designated entry and exit points, while others allow drivers to freely enter and exit where they choose, just like today’s carpool lanes. A good ‘rule of thumb’ is that drivers can enter and exit express lanes wherever there are dashed lines, but should never cross solid double lines. Learn more about getting in and out of Express Lanes.
How do I access FasTrak® information?
You can access additional information at the FasTrak® website.
How are express lane tolls collected?
Tolls are collected electronically using a valid FasTrak® toll tag. Tolls are collected only during the express lane hours of operation (Mon – Fri 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM). Overhead electronic pricing signs show the toll rates to use the express lane to specific destinations. Learn more about Pricing and Pricing Signs.
