The Mackinac Bridge sees more than four million vehicle crossings each year, and the tolls that are collected from those vehicles help keep the bridge maintained in proper working order. After decades of only accepting cash payments, the Mackinac Bridge Authority started also accepting credit card payments in 2015. This added a convenient option for those travelers who may not always have cash on hand, but it also meant a small loss for the bridge authority due to the fees charged by credit card companies. Starting January 1, 2025, those using a credit card to pay for their bridge toll will see a small (2.3%) convenience fee added.

While the additional amount won’t be the same for all vehicles, the bridge authority told news outlets in November it would add an average of nine cents to the $4.00 toll for passenger vehicles. Current toll prices for crossing the Mackinac Bridge are $4.00 for two-axle passenger vehicles and $5.00 per axle for all other vehicles. The Mackinac Bridge Authority receives no outside funding for bridge maintenance, the tolls charged are meant to keep it operating as a self-sustaining facility.

Built from 1954-1957, the Mackinac Bridge opened to vehicle traffic in November of 1957. Connecting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula, it replaced the previous car ferries that had operated between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. The bridge is 26,372 feet long and its deck is 200 feet about the Straits of Mackinac. The towers are more than 500 feet tall, and the bridge’s suspension design with an open metal grid inner lane allows it to withstand high winds in the area. It is one of Michigan’s most recognizable landmarks, and crossing it is a highlight for many. On Labor Day each year, visitors are able to cross the Mackinac Bridge on foot as part of one of the state’s coolest annual events.

This small fee being added is an overdue move, and one that should help the bridge authority in the long term. You can still avoid the fee by paying cash. If you’ve spent any amount of time in the Upper Peninsula, you’re likely familiar with many places offering a discount for paying in cash or adding a fee when you pay with credit card. Stay up to date with all Mackinac Bridge related news (and check out live traffic cams) at www.mackinacbridge.org.