High gas prices can make traveling feel even more expensive than it already is, and high gas taxes can make filling up even more painful.
The United States federal gas tax isn’t too bad at 18.4 cents per gallon, but some states charge more than twice that amount. The federal tax on diesel fuel is 24.4 cents per gallon, but diesel taxes in several states on this list are much higher. So, if filling up can wait until you cross state lines, it might be worth it.
So, while you can't change the fact that some states have high gas taxes, knowing which ones they are, can help you plan your gas stops accordingly.
Here are 10 states with the highest gas taxes.
(Note: State or local sales taxes may not be included in the gas tax totals listed.)
Disclaimer
[Gas and diesel tax prices are based on data from the Federation of Tax Administrators, the Tax Policy Center, and the Tax Foundation. This data reflects prices as of August 2024.]
10. Oregon gas tax
Gas tax total: 40 cents per gallon of gasoline
Oregon taxes gasoline slightly higher than Virginia does. At a tax rate of 40 cents per gallon, filling up in Oregon is less than ideal. On the bright side, the state doesn't tax diesel fuel at a higher rate as many other states do. So, if you need diesel, you can expect to pay the same rate of 40 cents per gallon.
If you do need to get gas in Oregon, you can avoid paying tax on any snacks you purchase afterward. Oregon is a state with no sales tax.
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9. North Carolina gas tax
Gas tax total: 40.65 cents per gallon
The excise tax on gasoline in North Carolina is 40.4 cents per gallon. The state adds a modest $0.0025 in additional taxes and fees, resulting in a total tax of 40.65 cents on each gallon of gas you purchase. Drivers with diesel-powered vehicles catch a small break by paying the same tax rate of $40.4.
It doesn't matter which direction you're driving. You will find lower gas taxes in all of North Carolina's bordering states, including South Carolina and Tennessee.
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8. New Jersey gas tax
Gas tax total: 42.35 cents per gallon (before July's 2-cent increase)
New Jersey plans to increase its gas tax by 10 cents over the next five years, starting with a 2-cent increase effective this July. That brings New Jersey’s gas tax to $31.8 cents per gallon. Meanwhile, motorists using diesel fuel can expect to pay 35.8 cents per gallon from July 1 until Sept. 30, 2024.
New Jersey also imposed an additional annual registration fee of $250 upon all zero-emission vehicles in July which will similarly increase $10 per year until totaling $290 in 2028.
If you're driving south, filling up in Delaware is a great idea since it's one of the states with the lowest gas taxes. You'll even find a gas tax break if you're headed to New York.
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7. Maryland gas tax
Gas tax total: About 47 cents per gallon of gasoline
The gas tax in Maryland decreased from 47 to 46.10 cents per gallon this summer, that’s down 1.9%. The tax for diesel fuel also fell from 47.75 cents per gallon to 46.85 cents.
That marks the third decrease in that state’s gas tax since the General Assembly passed a law in 2013 linking the rate to annual inflation, Maryland Matters reported. The drop came despite an increase in inflation over the past year.
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6. Michigan gas tax
Gas tax total: 48 cents per gallon of gasoline
In Michigan, the gas tax for both gasoline and diesel is 30 cents per gallon this year, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. That’s up from 28.6 cents per gallon for both gasoline and diesel last year.
In addition to state taxes and fees, the federal government imposes taxes and fees on motor fuels totaling 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline, and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel motor fuel. Those are excise taxes that are designated to the federal Highway Trust Fund.
According to the Tax Foundation, Michigan’s gas taxes (along with other fees) add up to 48 cents per gallon on average.
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5. Washington gas tax
Gas tax total: 52.82 cents per gallon of gasoline
Gas tax in Washington is 49.4 cents per gallon, rounding out the list of the top five states with the highest taxes for motorists. Drivers with diesel-fueled trucks might rejoice at paying the same 49.4 cents per gallon, but in reality, no drivers win when filling their tanks in the Evergreen State.
Sales tax is also high in Washington state, so grabbing fast food will cost you even more. However, you can enjoy no sales tax if you stop at the grocery store since groceries are tax-exempt in the Evergreen State.
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4. Indiana gas tax
Gas tax total: 56.1 cents per gallon of gasoline
In Indiana, motorists may have noticed a modest uptick in gas prices this summer. The gas tax increased from 34 to 35 cents per gallon in July 2024.
Counting in additional state taxes, Indiana’s gas taxes now total 56.1 cents per gallon, according to the Tax Foundation.
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3. Pennsylvania gas tax
Gas tax total: 58.7 cents per gallon of gasoline
Drivers in Pennsylvania can expect to pay nearly 60 cents per gallon at the gas pump. At a whopping 57.6 cents per gallon, it has the third-highest gas tax in the U.S. There's no relief for diesel truck drivers, either. The tax on diesel fuel is 74.1 cents per gallon, per Pennsylvania’s Petroleum Association.
Pennsylvania is big, so you might need to get gas before you cross state lines. Neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, and Maryland have fairly high gas taxes as well.
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2. Illinois gas tax
Gas tax total: 67.1 cents per gallon of gasoline
Illinois has a high state gas tax of 45.4 cents per gallon, which increased this July to 47 cents per gallon. Diesel fuel prices were moderately worse, rising from 52.9 to 54.4 cents per gallon, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Overall, the state tax on gas will increase from 66.5 cents per gallon to 67.1 cents per gallon – the second highest in the country.
And stocking up on snacks for the road probably isn't the greatest idea in Illinois, either. The state has one of the highest sales tax rates in the county.
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1. California gas tax
Gas tax total: 69.8 cents per gallon of gasoline
California was one of seven states that hiked its gas taxes in July, keeping the state’s gas taxes firmly in the lead. The state’s excise tax on gas rose this summer from 57.9 cents per gallon to 59.6 cents per gallon, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
After adding other state fees, California’s gas tax rose from 68.1 cents to roughly 70 cents – the highest in the nation. The revenues from the uptick in the gas tax rate will be directed toward various public health and safety programs in California.
It also places the Golden State’s average price per gallon of regular gasoline at about $4.79, as Kiplinger reported.
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