Can My Vehicle Cross The Golden Gate Bridge? (Solved)

The Golden Gate Bridge is not only functional in connecting the city of San Francisco to Marin County, California, but the world-famous Bridge offers a unique experience for everyone who crosses it.

The incredible suspension bridge is the second largest in the world and spans the Golden Gate with a one-mile-wide strait.

You may be planning a trip that involves crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge and wondering if your vehicle can cross the Golden Gate Bridge?

This may be especially the case if you’re driving an RV, bus, or truck.

Can My Vehicle Cross The Golden Gate Bridge?

If you are driving a truck, trailer, bus, or recreational vehicle, you can cross over the Golden Gate Bridge. There are some rules and limitations that apply, and the weight of all vehicles and loads crossing the Bridge is restricted to the legal limits of California.

Can Bigger RVs cross the Golden Gate Bridge?

Class A motor-homes, or RVs, are some of the largest available on the market.

They have been built on either a commercial truck or bus chassis and often weigh more than 8,000 lbs. In fact, these RVs are better suited to be classified as trucks.

The good news is that you will be allowed to drive your RV across the mile-long stretch, but you will only be permitted to do so if the below rules are carefully followed:

1. You drive across the Bridge using the curb lane of the roadway (right lane, in both directions).
   • These curb lanes are wider (11 feet) than other roadway lanes (10 feet).
2. You can only use the 2 right toll lanes (lane #1 or lane #2) when traveling south through the Toll Plaza.
   • These Toll Plaza lanes are wider (11 feet, 10 inches) than the other toll lanes (9 feet, 2 inches).
3. Your vehicle cannot exceed 14 feet, 6 inches in height when traveling south through the Toll Plaza.

Does it Cost Something to Drive RVs Across The Golden Gate Bridge?

If you are traveling north, from San Francisco toward Sausalito, then you will not have to pay a fee to cross over the Golden Gate Bridge.

However, if you are traveling south, you will need to pay a toll to drive your RV across the Bridge.

New toll rates became effective from the 1st of July 2020, and the rates depend on the number of axles your vehicles have and how you choose to pay.

The average RV has two axles, but the larger motor-homes, like those in Class A, may have up to 3 axles.

Below is a table to help guide you on what you may be paying the next time you travel southbound into San Francisco:

Number of Axles	FasTrak Toll	License Plate Account & One-Time Payment	Toll Invoice
2 Axles/ Motorcycles	$7.70	$8.40	$8.70
3 Axles	$23.10	$25.20	$26.10

See our reference link below for more information and toll bridge fees.

Can I Cross the Golden Gate Bridge with Cash?

Since 2013, cash is no longer accepted on the Bridge and handed over to a human to pay the toll.

The process is completely electronic now so that those crossing over the Bridge do not have to wait in queues, waste time looking for money in their vehicle or wallet, or wait for change.

The new electronic process is easy and saves time for motorists.

How to Pay for Your Toll:

You can sign up for a system that reads an electronic pass or your vehicle’s license plate.

If you do not frequently travel over the Bridge, and it is a once-off trip, then visit the FasTrak website to pay your toll in advance.

Can Semi-Trucks Cross the Golden Gate Bridge?

Semi-trucks are allowed to cross over the Golden Gate Bridge, provided they are not taller than 14’6 inches and safely fit below the toll booths.

Semi-trucks crossing over the Bridge need to travel through the wide lanes, which are on the right side and marked No. 1 and No. 2.

Can Trucks Cross the Golden Gate Bridge?

Following the same height restriction as semi-trucks, other larger trucks are also permitted to travel across the Golden Gate Bridge.

There are, however, some weight limitations that apply for larger vehicles such as trucks.

They cannot exceed 20,000 pounds on any one axel, for example.

If a truck exceeds the weight and height restrictions as laid out by the California Vehicle Code, then it needs to be escorted.

Oversize vehicles and vehicles transporting corrosives, flammable cargo, and explosives need to stop on the shoulder of the Bridge before being allowed to enter the roadway lanes.

These vehicles will also need a private escort.

Can Fifth Wheels Cross the Golden Gate Bridge?

A fifth-wheel RV is a towable RV that needs a large pickup truck to tow it that is fitted with a device known as a fifth-wheel hitch.

RVs are permitted to cross the Golden Gate Bridge; this includes fifth-wheel RVs that may be considered light-duty trucks.

If you own a fifth-wheel RV, make sure that it does not exceed 14 feet, 6 inches in height, and that each axle does not weigh more than 20,000 lbs.

If you are well within these restrictions, then you can safely cross the suspension bridge, just remember: keep to the 2 right toll lanes which are wide enough for your RV.

Final Travel Tip

Vehicles are not allowed to make U-turns on the Golden Gate Bridge, and you are prohibited from changing tires on the Bridge roadway too.

If you find yourself in a situation and require assistance, then it is always best to call the Security Office using the yellow emergency call boxes that are available.

Safe Travels, and enjoy the scenic sea views!

Sources:

Golden Gate Bridge Tolls Rates – GoldenGate.org

Trucks, Trailers, Buses, Recreational Vehicles – GoldenGate.org