Tax Data, Charts, and Maps
Gasoline Taxes, Tolls, and Transportation Charges
The first U.S. state to levy a gasoline tax was Oregon, which enacted a 1-cent per gallon tax in February 1919. During the following decade every U.S. state and the District of Columbia followed suit. In 2006 the average state gas tax was 20.8 cents per gallon. The federal gasoline tax was created with the Revenue Act of 1932, and began as a temporary levy with a rate of 1 cent per gallon. Over the years the tax has increased significantly, and in 2006 stood at 18.4 cents per gallon. The combined burden of federal, state and local gas taxes costs American drivers an average of 45.9 cents on every gallon purchased in 2006.
Additional questions about gasoline taxes, tolls, and transportation charges? Contact us at (202) 464-6200.
Tax Data from The Tax Foundation
- State Sales, Gasoline, Cigarette, and Alcohol Tax Rates by State, 2000-2009, July 10, 2009
- Federal Excise Tax Rates, 1944-2008. Selected Years, November 9, 2008
- Federal Gasoline Excise Tax Rate, 1932-2008, April 30, 2008
- Oil Profits and Taxes, 1981-2006 , April 2, 2008
- The Growth in Federal Gasoline Taxes, 1932-2005, March 11, 2008
- Toll Revenue vs. Motor Fuel Taxes by State, 2005, June 11, 2007
- State Motor Fuel Tax Collections by State, 2006, June 7, 2007
- Fraction of Each Quintile's Total Tax Burden Accounted for by Each Type of Tax, Calendar Year 2004 , April 1, 2007
- Average Dollar Tax Burdens by Type of Federal Tax, Per Household, Calendar Year 2004 , April 1, 2007
- Federal Excise Tax Collections, 1940-2006, April 28, 2006
- Dates of Adoption of Major State Taxes, January 1, 2005