Garmin Satnav, toll roads and similar stuff.

**cornishfrogboy** · 14 Feb 18, 11:32 PM

A big day today, as the big day itself draws near...

I got the trusty satnav down from the attic in order to feed in all of the locations for our forthcoming trip.. then I hit a snag in that the Satnav didn't recognise California.

A plug in to the Mac revealed that it only had maps for Southern and Northeastern States, hence the snag. It was a few minutes work to replace it with South and Northwestern States and the problem was solved!

I feel sure that other Florida regulars will hit this snag, hence the post!

Next on the list, toll roads and how to approach this issue, fast lanes, cash pay toll roads, electronic payment only toll roads, time variable toll roads that charge more at peak periods, carshare lanes, it's a nightmare. I have looked at their equivalent of the Sunpass and even this is difficult. The instructions refer to putting them in special bags when a toll payment is not applicable and alternatively putting it in a box.

I have decided to use the 'avoid toll roads' option in 'settings' on my Satnav whenever the time penalty is not too great.. other than the Bay Bridge that I have to cross. It's all very confusing!

grant_w · 15 Feb 18, 09:52 AM

We drove around for 18 days and the only toll road we used was the Golden Gate Bridge, and that was by accident. Stupid sat-nav took us across it and then turn round and come back, for no reason. So they aren't as widespread as Florida

400ixl · 15 Feb 18, 10:08 AM

There are very few toll roads on the west coast.

National Parks have fees you need to pay (Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead etc, Grand Canyon) if you visit them. Some other things like the Bay Bridge, 13 mile drive (Monterrey) have fees if you decide to do them.

About the only toll road I have seen (but did not need to use) is a small stretch south of LA to San Diego. You have to divert off the main freeway to use it and its really there for people to avoid the rush hour queues only.

**cornishfrogboy** · 15 Feb 18, 11:03 AM

Thankyou. That is rather reassuring.
We intend using the Pacific highway (barring the landslide bit south of Monterey) as much as possible.
When we reach LA, it is round the back, Simi Valley (Reagan library), 6 flags and Disney before onwards to San Diego coming in at Mission beach.

From what you say, if I set my Satnav to avoid tolls other than the Bay Bridge, which I regard as an attraction, I should get away scott free... other than possibly as I exit Monterey due to the Pacific highway closure.

Today, my task will be to google search the routes and print back up maps for my holiday A5 folder.

**cornishfrogboy** · 15 Feb 18, 03:12 PM

Grant w and 400ixl, you were bang on the money.

On all of my driving, the only compulsory toll will be going out of San Francisco on the bay bridge.

Every location on google maps did not alter at all when I took the 'toll free' option. I haven't even bothered to print the maps.

So San Francisco- Castle AFB- Monterey- Madonna Inn- Reagan Library- Valencia- Anaheim- Mission Beach- main San Diego attractions- Long beach- Santa Monica- LAX is all toll free bar the Bay Bridge.

Happy days!

pompeyboy · 15 Feb 18, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

Grant w and 400ixl, you were bang on the money.

On all of my driving, the only compulsory toll will be going out of San Francisco on the bay bridge.

Every location on google maps did not alter at all when I took the 'toll free' option. I haven't even bothered to print the maps.

So San Francisco- Castle AFB- Monterey- Madonna Inn- Reagan Library- Valencia- Anaheim- Mission Beach- main San Diego attractions- Long beach- Santa Monica- LAX is all toll free bar the Bay Bridge.

Happy days!

You don't pay to go out of SF on either the Bay or GG bridge, also I would recommend the car pool lanes around LA if you have at least 2 people in the car, they're like a fastpass for cars, you do need to be aware of your exits though as you have to leave the car pool lane and cross 5 or 6 lanes of slower moving traffic if your exit is on the right!

**cornishfrogboy** · 15 Feb 18, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by pompeyboy

You don't pay to go out of SF on either the Bay or GG bridge, also I would recommend the car pool lanes around LA if you have at least 2 people in the car, they're like a fastpass for cars, you do need to be aware of your exits though as you have to leave the car pool lane and cross 5 or 6 lanes of slower moving traffic if your exit is on the right!

Thanks for that..just picked up on the exit being free on the bridges.
As for the fast lanes, I will make a judgement call on the day. I clearly remember just how fast it was in Miami on the bypass... and more worryingly the lack of separation between vehicles.

Olympiad · 16 Feb 18, 10:26 AM

Also just for further clarity the toll rates vary on the Bay Bridge depending on day and time.

Remains a flat toll on Golden Gate Bridge.

15 Feb 18, 10:08 AM	#3
	15 Feb 18, 10:08 AM 400ixl Imagineer
400ixl Imagineer Join Date: Mar 12	There are very few toll roads on the west coast. National Parks have fees you need to pay (Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead etc, Grand Canyon) if you visit them. Some other things like the Bay Bridge, 13 mile drive (Monterrey) have fees if you decide to do them. About the only toll road I have seen (but did not need to use) is a small stretch south of LA to San Diego. You have to divert off the main freeway to use it and its really there for people to avoid the rush hour queues only.

16 Feb 18, 10:26 AM	#8
	16 Feb 18, 10:26 AM Olympiad slightly serious Dibber
Olympiad slightly serious Dibber Join Date: Jan 14	Also just for further clarity the toll rates vary on the Bay Bridge depending on day and time. Remains a flat toll on Golden Gate Bridge. Edited at 10:28 AM.