High gas prices can make traveling feel even more expensive than it already is, and high gas taxes can make filling up the tank 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 special fuel like diesel 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.
While you can't change the fact that some states have high gas taxes, knowing which ones do can help you plan your gas stops accordingly. Some states on our list are considering pay-per-mile programs, while others may have you thinking twice about certain commutes to avoid a congestion toll charge.
Some states announced some major tax changes in 2025, with some from our list imposing higher gas taxes as of January 1.
Here are 10 states with the highest gas taxes in 2025.
(Note: State or local sales taxes may not be included in the gas tax totals listed.)
[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 September 2025.]
Gas tax total: 41.12 cents per gallon
Rhode Islanders recently experienced a modest adjustment to the base tax rate for motor fuel. As of July 1, 2025, the state gas rate increased to 40 cents per gallon, up from 37 cents per gallon.
Rhode Island established a 32-cent-per-gallon base tax rate on fuel in 2014 and has adjusted that rate every two years, subject to inflation. The next time the state’s gas rate is scheduled to be re-adjusted is July 2027.
According to the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, the new tax rate only applies to the excise tax. Taken together, the American Petroleum Institute estimates that the total motor fuel tax in Rhode Island adds up to an average of 56.40 cents per gallon. By contrast, the Tax Foundation calculates the tax to be 41.12 cents per gallon, making it round out our list for the top ten states with the highest gas tax in the U.S.
Virginia increased its gas tax from 30.8 cents per gallon to 31.7 cents per gallon on July 1, 2025. Diesel motorists also saw a modest uptick in gas tax rates, which rose from 31.8 cents per gallon to 32.7 cents per gallon this summer.
Taken together, the Tax Foundation estimates that the total gas tax in Virginia is 41.60 cents per gallon.
There’s some good news: If you’re purchasing food or other items on the road, the Commonwealth of Virginia has one of the lowest sales tax rates in the country. Virginia also repealed a portion of its sales tax on groceries, but a 1% local grocery tax applies in most areas. Keep that in mind if you want any snacks on your road trip.
Gas tax total: 44.95 cents per gallon of gasoline
New Jersey plans to increase its gas tax by 10 cents over the next five years. The Garden State hiked its gas tax by 2 cents last summer, and issued another 2.6-cent increase on January 1, 2025.
That brings New Jersey’s gas tax from 31.8 cents per gallon to 34.4 cents per gallon of gas. Meanwhile, motorists using diesel fuel can expect to pay 38.4 cents per gallon, up from 35.8 cents per gallon. Adding the Motor Fuels Tax, fixed at 10.5 cents for gasoline and 13.5 cents for diesel, the total tax rates for gas and diesel fuel are 44.9 cents and 51.9 cents, respectively.
For more information, see New Jersey's Gas Tax Just Increased.
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. If you're headed to New York, you may want to rethink your visit to Manhattan. New York City imposed a new congestion tax in January, raising tolls to anyone traveling south of 60th Street in lower Manhattan.
In the news: The Trump administration subsequently withdrew support for the NYC congestion pricing in February. However, the DOJ reportedly filed a document outlining legal flaws with Trump’s plan to end New York City’s toll pricing. The issue is still under legal dispute.
Gas tax total: 46.19 cents per gallon of gasoline
The gas tax in Maryland decreased from 46.10 cents per gallon to 46 cents per gallon in July, according to the state’s Office of the Comptroller.
That marks the fourth decrease in that state’s gas tax since the General Assembly passed a law about ten years ago linking the rate to annual inflation, Maryland Matters reported. The drop came despite an increase in inflation over the past year.
Estimates from the Tax Foundation place Maryland’s gas tax at 46.19 cents per gallon.
Gas tax total: 48.20 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 48.20 cents per gallon on average.
Gas tax total: 54.50 cents per gallon of gasoline
In Indiana, motorists may have noticed a modest uptick in gas prices this summer. The gas tax increased from 35 cents per gallon to 36 cents per gallon in July.
Counting in additional state taxes, Indiana’s gas taxes now total 54.50 cents per gallon, according to the Tax Foundation.
Separately, Indiana is one of the few states with a major tax change in 2025. The Hoosier State is reducing its already flat individual income tax rate from 3.05% to 3% in January 2025. The measure should give residents some relief on their taxes.
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 as of January 1, 2025, according to the government site of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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.
Gas tax total: 59.04 cents per gallon of gasoline
Gas tax in Washington rose by 6 cents per gallon on July 1, 2025, making it the third state with the highest taxes for motorists on our list. Washington’s gas tax rose from 49.4 cents per gallon to 55.4 cents per gallon.
Drivers with diesel-fueled trucks will see the gas tax increase by an additional 3 cents, or 9 cents in total, to 58.4 cents per gallon. Effective July 1, 2028, diesel motorists will incur an annual 2% increase.
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.
Gas tax total: 66.40 cents per gallon of gasoline
It can be quite pricey to fill up your gas tank in Illinois, and gas tax just increased this summer.The tax on gasoline rose to 48.3 cents per gallon in July. At the same time, the tax on diesel fuel also rose from 54.4 cents per gallon to 55.8 cents per gallon, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Overall, the state tax on gas rose from 67.1 cents per gallon to 66.40 cents per gallon – the second highest in the country.
In other words, the gas tax in Illinois effectively rose by 2.82% or 1.3 cents per gallon in July 1, 2025.
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 country.
Gas tax total: 70.92 cents per gallon
California increased its gas tax this summer to keep up with inflation, placing its gas tax at the highest in the nation. The state’s excise tax on gas rose by approximately 1.6 cents per gallon, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
After adding other state fees, California’s gas tax rose 70.92 cents per gallon, according to estimates from the Tax Foundation. The revenue from the uptick in the gas rate will be directed toward various public health and safety programs in California.
California is actively looking into a pay-per-mile tax.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is reportedly exploring a pay-per-mile charge to replace the state’s gas tax, as revenue from taxing fuel has dwindled. The program, known as Road Charge Collection Pilot, would charge participating drivers around 3 cents per mile. The revenue would be used to fund road and highway maintenance, with the final report due to the state Legislature by December 2026.
