You Just Crossed the 520 Bridge in Seattle: Uh Oh, or Uh-mazing View? (Toll Booth Edition)
Congratulations, you've conquered the majestic (and sometimes traffic-y) 520 Bridge in Seattle! But hold on to your celebratory high fives for a sec. Did you realize you just traversed a toll bridge? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us (or the most sightseeing-entranced). Here's the down-low on how to settle your toll without feeling like you just accidentally bought a yacht.
The Toll Booth Two-Step: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
There are two main ways to pay the 520 bridge toll, and neither involves wearing a knight's helmet and clinking actual coins (though that would be pretty entertaining).
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The "Good To Go!"** Knight (See what we did there?): This is the electronic toll collection system. Sign up for a Good To Go! account online, mount a little transponder thingy on your windshield, and voila! You'll zoom through imaginary tollbooths (because let's face it, there aren't any physical ones) at the cheapest toll rate. Plus, you won't have to worry about pesky bills in the mail.
The "Pay By Mail" Postman Pat (Okay, maybe that one's a stretch): For those who prefer a more traditional approach (or just forgot about the whole toll thing), there's always pay by mail. Essentially, you don't pay anything upfront. A camera snaps a friendly picture of your license plate, and a bill gets sent to the address on file with the Department of Licensing. This method comes with a slightly higher toll rate, so consider it a convenience fee (with a side of "next time, get Good To Go!").
Important Note: Whichever method you choose, be sure to pay your toll within 14 days to avoid late fees and potential collections notices. Nobody wants that kind of drama.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
Bonus Round: Do Tolls Discriminate Based on Car Color?
QuickTip: Pause after each section to reflect.
Sadly, no. While a bright pink car with fuzzy dice might be more toll-booth-adorable, the system doesn't care about aesthetics. It only recognizes license plates. So ditch the bribery attempts with glitter glue and focus on the payment methods above.
How Do I Pay The 520 Bridge Toll In Seattle |
## Frequently Asked Tolling Questions:
How do I sign up for a Good To Go! account? Head over to [Good To Go!](URL good to go washington state ON My Good To Go! mygoodtogo.com) to set up your account and order your fancy transponder.
How much are the tolls on the 520 bridge? They vary depending on the time of day, with weekends and nights generally being cheaper. You can find the current rates [here](URL 520 bridge toll seattle ON Washington State Department of Transportation (.gov) wsdot.wa.gov).
What if I don't have a Good To Go! account and accidentally crossed the bridge? No sweat! The pay-by-mail system will catch you (in a friendly way). Just wait for the bill and settle it within 14 days.
Can I pay my toll over the phone? Unfortunately, not at this time. But you can pay online or by mail.
Is there a way to avoid tolls altogether? Well, you could always take a scenic ferry ride across the lake instead. Just sayin'.
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