If you have a car loan through Bridgecrest—whether you bought your vehicle through DriveTime, Carvana, or directly—understanding how the payment system works can save you money, protect your credit, and keep things stress-free.
This guide covers every Bridgecrest payment method available in 2026, how AutoPay works, what happens when you miss a payment, how grace periods apply, and smart tips to pay your loan off faster. Whether you just got your first statement or you are deep into your loan term, there is something here for you.
What Is Bridgecrest?
Bridgecrest Acceptance Corporation is one of the largest auto loan servicers in the United States. Originally part of DriveTime—a leading used car retailer—Bridgecrest has grown to become an independent entity focused exclusively on servicing auto loans.
If you financed a car through Carvana, there is a very good chance that Bridgecrest is the company managing your payments. Many Carvana buyers are surprised to see the Bridgecrest name on their first billing statement, but this is completely normal. Bridgecrest acts as the loan servicer behind Carvana’s financing program.
Bridgecrest has been helping customers achieve their goals since 1990, and today it serves hundreds of thousands of borrowers across the country, including many who have non-prime or subprime credit histories.
How to Make a Bridgecrest Payment — All Available Methods
One of the things Bridgecrest genuinely does well is offer multiple, flexible ways to pay. You are not locked into one channel. Here is a full breakdown of every Bridgecrest payment method available:
1. Online Payment at Bridgecrest.com
The online portal is the most popular option for a reason — it is fast, available around the clock, and gives you a full view of your account.
Once your account is set up, you will have access to a personalized dashboard where you can view your loan details, make payments, and update your personal information. You can make a one-time payment, schedule a future payment, or enroll in automatic recurring payments—all in just a few clicks.
Online payments typically take one to two business days to post. If your due date is tomorrow, log in today, not tomorrow.
Step-by-step for online payment:
- Go to bridgecrest.com and log in (or create an account)
- Click on “Make a Payment” from your dashboard
- Choose your payment amount—minimum due, a custom amount, or payoff amount
- Enter your bank account information
- Review the payment and confirm
2. Bridgecrest Mobile App
The Bridgecrest app lets you easily make a one-time payment or schedule future payments; save your bank account details for next time; and manage pending payments, review payment details, make updates, or cancel future payments on your account.
It is free, available on both Android and iOS, and handles everything the desktop site does — including AutoPay management. If you manage more than one vehicle through Bridgecrest, you can manage all your vehicle accounts within the app.
3. Phone Payment (Automated Line — 24/7)
Prefer not to log in online? Bridgecrest accepts payments by phone through an automated system at 1-855-894-5719, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone payments completed before 8 PM EST receive same-day processing. This is the best option if you need a payment to count quickly and do not want to go online.
You can also reach live customer service agents during business hours for payment help, account questions, and AutoPay setup.
4. Pay by Mail (Check or Money Order)
Old-fashioned? Yes. Still valid? Absolutely. Bridgecrest accepts mailed payments sent to:
Bridgecrest P.O. Box 8040 Tempe, AZ 85284-8040
Make your check or money order payable to Bridgecrest Acceptance Corporation. Include your account number on the check or money order—this helps ensure your payment gets correctly applied to your account. Never send cash!
Critical reminder: Mail payments take five to seven business days to process. Never mail a late payment, assuming it counts as on-time. If you are already close to your due date, use the phone or online portal instead.
Note: If you are making a final payoff payment by mail, send it to a different address:
LOCKBOX SERVICES, Bridgecrest – Box 842695, 3440 Flair Drive, 4th Floor, El Monte, CA 91731
5. Third-Party Bill Pay (Doxo and Others)
You can pay your Bridgecrest bill using Doxo from any device, with a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or directly from your bank account. Payments are free with a linked bank account. Other payment methods may have a fee, which will be clearly displayed before checkout.
Keep in mind that Doxo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bridgecrest—it is an independent bill-pay service. Using your bank account is typically free; using a credit card may carry a small convenience fee.
Bridgecrest AutoPay: The Smartest Way to Manage Your Loan
If there is one thing every Bridgecrest borrower should do, it is set up autopay.
AutoPay provides automatic recurring payments that are completely free and secure. The app lets you update your AutoPay enrollment details, including the withdrawal date and recurring payment amounts.
Setting up AutoPay removes the biggest risk in loan management — forgetting. You set it, and the payment goes out automatically every month. No calendar alerts needed. No last-minute scrambling.
Pro tip: Set up AutoPay through the Bridgecrest website, link your bank account, and schedule payments for five days before your due date. This buffer protects against processing delays.
That five-day cushion is not excessive—it is smart. Processing delays, bank holidays, and weekends can all push a technically “on time” payment into late territory. A five-day buffer eliminates that risk almost entirely.
One important warning: AutoPay only works when your bank account has enough funds on the withdrawal date. A returned payment due to insufficient funds can count as a missed payment and trigger late fees. Always check your account balance in the days before your AutoPay date.
Does Bridgecrest have a grace period?
Yes — but the length depends on your specific loan contract, not a company-wide rule.
Bridgecrest does not publish a single public grace period rule that applies to every loan it services. Instead, the contract for your specific account controls the length of the grace period, whether there is one at all, and how late fees work.
Third-party legal and credit repair sites describe grace periods on Bridgecrest loans in the 10 to 15 day range, with late fees after that and credit reporting when payments hit 30 days past due.
To find your exact grace period, log into bridgecrest.com, download your retail installment contract, and search for “Late Charge” or “Default.” The number of days stated there is your contractual window.
The Critical Difference: Grace Period vs. Credit Reporting
This is where many borrowers get blindsided.
Bridgecrest reports you late at exactly 30 days past the due date, regardless of circumstances. They do not offer courtesy grace periods beyond the standard 10 days built into your contract.
So if your payment is due on the 1st and you have a 10-day grace period, the late fee kicks in on the 11th — but credit reporting does not happen until the 30th. The grace period only delays the fee, not the credit consequence. A payment sitting unpaid for 30 days is 30 days late on your report, whether your grace period was 10 days or 15.
How Bridgecrest Payments Affect Your Credit Score
Bridgecrest reports to all three credit bureaus on a predictable cycle, typically between the 5th and 15th of each month. This means every payment — on time or late — shows up on your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion reports.
For borrowers rebuilding credit, a Bridgecrest auto loan can be a powerful tool when managed correctly. Consistent, on-time payments add positive history to your report month after month. Of the Bridgecrest borrowers whose credit reports were reviewed, 67% improved their credit scores by 40 or more points within 18 months of responsible payment.
The flip side is just as real. A single 30-day late mark can stay on your credit report for up to seven years and cause a significant score drop. The 30-day threshold is hard — Bridgecrest does not negotiate it.
The smart long-term play: Use Bridgecrest strategically as a credit-building tool, not a permanent financing solution. Make every payment five days early, set up AutoPay as a backup, and monitor your credit reports to verify accurate reporting. After 12 to 18 months of perfect payments, refinance aggressively to cut your interest rate.
Can You Make Principal-Only Payments with Bridgecrest?
Yes — and this is one of the best ways to pay off your loan faster and save money on interest.
Bridgecrest uses simple daily interest, meaning interest accrues on your outstanding principal every single day. The faster you reduce that principal, the less interest builds up over time. Even an extra $50 or $100 per month applied directly to the principal can shave months off your loan and save you real money.
To make a principal-only payment, log into your Bridgecrest account, make an additional payment beyond your scheduled amount, and designate it specifically toward the principal. If the option is not clear in the portal, call customer service to confirm that your extra payment is being applied to principal and not simply toward your next month’s installment.
What Happens If You Miss a Bridgecrest Payment?
Missing a payment is not the end of the world, but it does require fast action.
Days 1–15 (Grace Period): You are likely still within your contractual grace window. Make the payment immediately. No late fee, no credit damage.
Days 16–29 (Late Fee Zone): A late fee is now applied to your account. Make the payment as soon as possible. Your credit score is still safe until day 30.
Day 30 (Credit Reporting): Bridgecrest reports your account late at exactly 30 days past the due date. This will appear on all three of your credit reports and can significantly lower your score.
Day 30+ (Collections Risk): The collections department handles accounts 30 or more days past due—you will be transferred automatically if your account is delinquent.
Repossession: Under many state laws, an auto lender can repossess a vehicle once the borrower defaults under the contract, and that can happen with a single missed payment.
What to Do If You Cannot Pay
The single most important step when you know a payment is at risk is to call Bridgecrest before the due date, not after.
Bridgecrest has offered payment deferment arrangements for borrowers experiencing financial hardship. Deferring a payment pushes it to the end of the loan term, allowing the borrower to catch up without an immediate penalty. This is only available if you proactively communicate — waiting until your account is already delinquent leaves far fewer options on the table.
Bridgecrest Customer Service: 800-967-8526 Collections Department (30+ days late): You will be transferred automatically.
How to Get a Bridge Crest Payoff Quote
If you want to pay off your loan completely — whether with savings, a refinance, or an insurance settlement — Bridgecrest makes this straightforward.
If you need a payoff quote for paying your account in full, trading in your vehicle, or for insurance purposes, simply log in to your account. Your payoff amount will show the current remaining balance on your account. A 10-day payoff will show your account’s remaining balance plus 10 days’ worth of interest charges that will accrue in that time frame.
After paying off your loan, your title release may take some time to process. If you need assistance after paying off your vehicle, call Bridgecrest Customer Service.
Top Tips for Managing Your Bridgecrest Payment Like a Pro
Here are the habits that keep borrowers on track and help them finish their loan in good standing:
- Enroll in Auto Pay immediately—set your withdrawal date five days before the due date
- Pay online or by phone when your due date is close—never rely on mail for near-due payments
- Keep every payment confirmation—digital screenshots and email receipts are your protection if a dispute arises
- Make principal-only extra payments whenever your budget allows—even $50 extra per month adds up fast
- Check your credit reports monthly—verify that Bridgecrest is reporting accurately, and dispute errors quickly
- Call before you miss—one proactive phone call opens options that disappear once you fall delinquent
- Plan for refinancing after 12–18 months of on-time payments — you may qualify for a significantly lower interest rate
Final Thoughts
Managing a Bridgecrest payment does not need to be stressful. The company offers more payment flexibility than many traditional lenders—online, mobile app, phone, mail, and third-party options—and AutoPay makes the whole process essentially hands-free when set up correctly.
The keys to success are simple: enroll in AutoPay with a buffer, stay aware of your due date, communicate proactively if money is tight, and use every on-time payment as a building block toward a stronger credit profile. Treat your Bridgecrest loan as a short-term tool for getting from where you are to where you want to be financially, and it will serve you well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bridgecrest Payment
What is the Bridgecrest payment phone number? A: For automated 24/7 phone payments, call 1-855-894-5719. For customer service and account help, call 800-967-8526.
How long does a Bridgecrest online payment take to process? A: Online payments typically take one to two business days to post. Phone payments made before 8 PM EST are usually processed the same day.
Does Bridgecrest charge a fee for online payments? A: No. Payments made directly through the Bridgecrest website or app are free. Third-party services like Doxo may charge a convenience fee depending on your payment method.
What is the Bridgecrest mailing address for payments? A: Regular payments: Bridgecrest, P.O. Box 8040, Tempe, AZ 85284-8040. Final payoff only: LOCKBOX SERVICES, Bridgecrest – Box 842695, 3440 Flair Drive, 4th Floor, El Monte, CA 91731.
What happens if my AutoPay bounces? A: A returned payment may be treated as a missed payment and could trigger a late fee. If you know your account may not have sufficient funds, cancel AutoPay in advance and call Bridgecrest to arrange an alternative.
Does Bridgecrest report to credit bureaus? A: Yes—Bridgecrest reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) monthly, typically between the 5th and 15th of each month.
Q: Can I defer a Bridgecrest payment? A: In some cases, yes. Bridgecrest has offered payment deferrals to borrowers facing hardship. Contact them before you miss the payment to discuss your options.
