How to Pay the CA-73 Toll Road and Set Up Your Account

The CA-73 toll road runs between San Diego and Orange County, and you can pay tolls three ways: FasTrak account, one-time payment by license plate, or toll-by-plate subscription

The CA-73 is a 15-mile toll road in Orange and San Diego counties. Every vehicle that uses it must pay a toll — there is no free route parallel to it. You do not have to set up an account in advance; you can drive it and pay later. But the easiest and cheapest way is to open a FasTrak account, which gives you a small discount and lets you prepay so you never think about it again.

If you do not have FasTrak, the toll authority will photograph your license plate and send you an invoice. You can pay that invoice online, by phone, or by mail. If you do not pay within the time allowed, late fees pile up quickly — so the choice is really between setting up an account now or paying more later.

Key Takeaways

• FasTrak is the cheapest option and gives you a 30 percent discount on every toll; you load money into an account and the toll is deducted automatically when you drive.
• If you do not have FasTrak, the toll authority photographs your plate and mails you an invoice, which you must pay within 21 days or face late fees.
• You can set up FasTrak online at the 73 Toll Road website or by calling their customer service line; you will need your vehicle registration and a payment method.
• Toll-by-plate is a subscription option that costs more than FasTrak but less than paying invoices one at a time, and it covers all your tolls automatically.
• If you receive a toll notice and do not pay, the toll authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal.

How FasTrak works on the CA-73

FasTrak is an electronic toll collection system run by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). You buy a small transponder (a wireless device) and mount it on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with a reader and the toll is deducted from your prepaid account balance.

The discount is significant: FasTrak users pay roughly 30 percent less than drivers who pay by invoice. For example, if a toll costs $3.50 for a plate-pay driver, a FasTrak driver might pay $2.45 for the same trip. The exact toll varies by time of day and traffic conditions, but the FasTrak rate is always lower.

You can open a FasTrak account online at the 73 Toll Road website (73.org) or by calling 1-888-OCTA-411. You will need your vehicle registration, a valid payment method (debit or credit card), and an email address. The transponder is mailed to you within a few business days. Once it arrives, mount it on your windshield and load money into your account. Most people set up automatic replenishment so the account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount.

Paying by license plate if you do not have FasTrak

If you drive the CA-73 without a FasTrak transponder, the toll authority photographs your license plate at the toll plaza. Within 30 days, you will receive a toll notice in the mail. The notice shows the date you drove, the toll amount, and instructions for payment.

You have 21 days from the date on the notice to pay. You can pay online at 73.org, by phone at 1-888-OCTA-411, or by mailing a check to the address on the notice. Payment methods include credit card, debit card, and electronic check. If you pay within 21 days, you pay only the toll amount — no extra fees.

If you do not pay within 21 days, a late fee is added. The fee structure varies, but typically starts at $25 and can increase if the account remains unpaid. After 60 days, the toll authority may report the unpaid toll to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. This means you cannot renew your registration until the toll and all fees are paid.

Toll-by-plate subscription as an alternative

If you use the CA-73 regularly but do not want to set up FasTrak, you can enroll in a toll-by-plate subscription. This is an automatic payment plan where the toll authority charges your credit or debit card each time you drive, without sending you an invoice first.

The subscription costs more per toll than FasTrak but less than paying individual invoices. It eliminates the risk of late fees because payment is automatic. You can sign up online at 73.org or by phone. You will need your vehicle registration and a valid payment method. The subscription covers only the vehicle you register; if you drive a different car, you will need a separate subscription or a FasTrak transponder for that vehicle.

What happens if you do not pay a toll notice

Ignoring a toll notice creates a cascade of problems. After 21 days, late fees begin. After 60 days, the toll authority reports the debt to the California DMV. The DMV then places a hold on your vehicle registration, which means you cannot renew it when it expires. You also cannot transfer the registration to a new owner.

If you receive a toll notice and cannot pay immediately, contact the toll authority at 1-888-OCTA-411. They may be able to set up a payment plan or discuss hardship options. Waiting and hoping the notice goes away will not work — the debt will grow and eventually block your registration.

If you believe a toll notice is wrong — for example, you did not drive that day or the toll amount is incorrect — you can dispute it. Contact the toll authority with your evidence (such as a credit card statement showing you were elsewhere, or a photo of your vehicle in a different location). The process takes time, but disputing is free and may cancel the toll if you can prove the charge was in error.

Setting up FasTrak step by step

Open a web browser and go to 73.org. Click on the FasTrak section or look for "Open an Account." You will be asked for your vehicle registration number, the vehicle's license plate, your name, address, phone number, and email. Have your registration document handy so you can enter the exact information.

Next, choose a payment method. You can use a debit card or credit card. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Set an initial account balance — most people load $25 to $50 to start. You can also set up automatic replenishment, which adds money to your account when the balance falls below a threshold you choose (for example, $10).

Review your information and submit. You will receive a confirmation email with your account number. The transponder will be mailed to your address within 3 to 5 business days. Once it arrives, peel off the backing and stick it to your windshield, usually on the upper driver's side or passenger's side, in a spot where it has a clear view of the sky. Do not cover it with tint or stickers. Test your account by driving through a toll plaza — you should see a green light at the toll reader, indicating the transponder was read successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same FasTrak transponder on multiple vehicles?

No. Each vehicle needs its own transponder and its own FasTrak account. If you own two cars and want both to use FasTrak, you will need to open two separate accounts and buy two transponders. You can manage both accounts online using the same email address and login.

What if my FasTrak transponder stops working?

If your transponder is not being read (you see a red light at the toll plaza instead of green), contact FasTrak customer service at 1-888-OCTA-411. They can troubleshoot the problem or mail you a replacement transponder at no charge. In the meantime, you may receive toll-by-plate invoices, which you can dispute once your transponder is fixed.

Can I get a refund if I move out of California or stop using the CA-73?

Yes. You can close your FasTrak account online or by phone. Any remaining balance in your account will be refunded to the payment method you used to fund it, typically within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to return the transponder, but you should remove it from your windshield.

Do I have to pay the toll if I am a resident of San Diego or Orange County?

No. The toll applies to all drivers regardless of where they live. There is no resident discount or exemption. The only way to pay less is to use FasTrak, which offers a discount to all users.

What if I received a toll notice but I was not driving that day?

Contact the toll authority at 1-888-OCTA-411 and explain. Provide evidence that you were not driving — such as a credit card receipt from another location, a work time card, or a photo with a timestamp. The toll authority will investigate and may cancel the toll if they determine the charge was in error. Keep records of your evidence before you call.