Golden Gate Bridge Traffic: ~40 Million Vehicles Annually

The Golden Gate Bridge carries approximately 40 million vehicles per year (northbound + southbound), averaging ~109,000 vehicles per day or ~763,000 per week.

Traffic Profile

• Peak Periods: Weekday commutes (6–9 AM southbound, 4–7 PM northbound); summer weekends.
• Directional Split: ~55% southbound (to SF), ~45% northbound (to Marin/North Bay).
• Vehicle Mix: ~95% passenger vehicles; ~5% trucks, buses, motorcycles.
• Toll Collection: All-electronic (FasTrak, License Plate Account, One-Time Payment, Invoice) since 2013; southbound only.

Historical Context

• 1937 (Opening): ~3.3 million vehicles/year.
• 1980s: ~40 million/year (plateaued).
• 2020 (COVID): Dropped ~30% to ~28 million; largely recovered since.

Data Source

Official counts from the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (GGBHTD), published in annual reports and monthly traffic summaries.

Note: Pedestrians and cyclists (estimated 10,000–15,000 daily) use sidewalks—free, not counted in vehicle totals.