Question: I’m going to be using California Route 73 for my daily commute to my new job and want to know what I’ll be paying for tolls. How much is the 73 toll road in California?
Answer: California State Route 73, also known as the 73 Toll Road, is a 17.76-mile state highway in Orange County, and the southernmost 12 miles are tolled.
The full length of the state highway begins at I-5 in the south at the San Juan Capistrano–Mission Viejo–Laguna Niguel tripoint and ends with I-405 in the north in Costa Mesa.
Route 73 in California charges drivers depending on a few factors:
- Which on-ramp you use to enter the highway
- Which off-ramp you use to exit the highway
- When you’re traveling
- Whether you use FasTrak, pay online or pay via The Toll Roads app
Toll Road access points and costs
Effective July 2024, these are the rates for the 73 Toll Road:
Toll Point
Catalina View MAINLINE
| Time Range | Account Toll Rate | Non-Account Toll Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monday through Friday – Southbound | ||
| 12:00 a.m. – 2:59 p.m. | $14.34 | $18.72 |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:59 p.m. | $17.14 | $18.72 |
| 5:00 p.m. – 5:59 p.m.(Peak Hour) | $18.72 | $18.72 |
| 6:00 p.m. – 6:59 p.m. | $17.14 | $18.72 |
| 7:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $14.34 | $18.72 |
| Monday through Friday – Northbound | ||
| 12:00 a.m. – 6:59 a.m. | $14.34 | $18.72 |
| 7:00 a.m. – 7:59 a.m. | $17.14 | $18.72 |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:59 a.m. (Peak Hour) | $18.72 | $18.72 |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:59 a.m. | $17.14 | $18.72 |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $14.34 | $18.72 |
| Saturday and Sunday – Both Directions | ||
| 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $13.72 | $18.72 |
All Days
| Location | Time Range | Account Toll Rate | Non-Account Toll Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Ave | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | No Toll | No Toll |
| Bonita Canyon Dr | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $2.28 | $2.28 |
| Newport Coast Dr | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $3.78 | $3.78 |
| El Toro Rd/Laguna Cyn/133 | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $4.08 | $4.08 |
| Glenwood/Pacific Park Dr | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | No Toll | No Toll |
| Aliso Creek Rd | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $3.36 | $3.36 |
| La Paz Rd/Moulton Pkwy | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | $2.70 | $2.70 |
| Greenfield Dr | 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. | No Toll | No Toll |
Why is the 73 Toll Road so expensive?
The 73 Toll Road, like many toll roads, is designed to fund its construction, maintenance and operation through the tolls collected from drivers. Compared to the 405 and 5 Freeway, it is a smoother ride with less road damage.
Additionally, consider that the higher cost is worth it for many commuters, especially if it shaves 25 to 45 minutes off of their commute. The I-405 and 1-5 are both congested freeways during most times and days of the week.
How to save money on the 73 Toll Road in California
You can save money by avoiding the 73 Toll Road and use the I-5 and I-405 which runs approximately parallel to the 73’s route.
However, if you don’t want to deal with the I-405 or I-5 daily, consider getting a FasTrak account. Not only does a FasTrak sticker make it easier to pay your tolls (i.e. your card can be charged automatically rather than having to deal with a bill later), but if you are a frequent driver on toll roads, you can receive a small discount. FasTrak users that spend $40 on routes 73, 133, 241 and 261 during a statement period will receive $1 off every toll accumulated on The Toll Roads the following statement period.
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