Gas Tax by State 2026
California levies the highest state tax on gasoline in 2026 at 73.6 cents per gallon, and Alaska the lowest at 8.95 cents, a gap of nearly 65 cents on every gallon. The table below ranks all 50 states plus the District of Columbia using the Tax Foundation's 2026 figures, with an annual cost estimator so you can see what your state's tax costs you per year.
Annual Gas Tax Cost Estimator
2026 State Gas Tax Rankings
Top 5 highest Bottom 5 lowest Click a header to sort.
| Rank | State | Tax (cents/gal) | Tax ($/gal) |
|---|
Source: Tax Foundation, "Gas Taxes by State, 2026" (published August 2026). Rates are state level taxes and fees per gallon and exclude the 18.4 cent federal excise tax, some local taxes, and environmental program costs such as cap and trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the highest gas tax in 2026?
California, at 73.6 cents per gallon, followed by Illinois (70.4), Indiana (63.1), Washington (60.2), and Pennsylvania (58.7). California's total burden is even higher once cap and trade (about 23 cents) and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard are included.
Which state has the lowest gas tax in 2026?
Alaska, at 8.95 cents per gallon, unchanged for decades. Hawaii (18.5) and New Mexico (18.9) are next lowest.
What is the federal gas tax in 2026?
18.4 cents per gallon, set by Congress in 1993 and never raised since. It applies on top of every state rate and funds the Highway Trust Fund.
How much gas tax does the average driver pay per year?
It depends on your state, miles, and MPG. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 MPG (480 gallons), a California driver pays about $353 in state gas tax plus $88 federal, while a Texas driver pays about $96 state plus $88 federal. Use the estimator above for your exact numbers.
Do gas taxes include local taxes?
Not always. The figures here are state level totals. Some states allow significant local add ons: Hawaii local taxes can add up to 24 cents per gallon in Maui, and Nevada local taxes reach 39.8 cents in Clark County and 67.8 cents in Washoe County.
Where does this data come from?
The Tax Foundation's "Gas Taxes by State, 2026," published August 2026. It compiles state excise taxes, sales taxes applied to gasoline, and other state level fees into a per gallon figure.
Guides
Which State Has the Highest Gas Tax in 2026?
Why California sits at 73.6 cents, what the top 5 have in common, and the real total burden once environmental programs are counted.
How Much Gas Tax Do You Pay Per Year?
The simple formula plus worked examples for high tax, average, and low tax states.
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