How long has it been since your state raised its gas tax?
How long has it been since your state has raised its gas tax?
Every time a vehicle is filled with gas, a proportion of the cost helps pay for the roadways and bridges those cars, trucks, and semis wear down. Most government officials don't want to bear the responsibility of raising the price at the pump, but many states are revising their gas tax policies so they . States are adjusting their rates because taxes in recent years to keep up with increased fuel efficiency, and rising costs of building and maintaining transportation infrastructure.
The federal gas tax stands at 18.4 cents a gallon, which supports the Federal Highway Administration and hasn't been raised . States institute a , a percentage on the price of wholesale fuel or a general sales tax on top of that, meaning the total amount paid includes the cost of gas plus federal and state taxes.
More than half of U.S. states have since 2013, with some states increasing their gas tax rates annually according to inflation rates tied to the . However, Alaska hasn't increased their state tax on fuel since the 1970s, and the last time Mississippi increased their gas tax was in the 1980s. Using data from the and the , 麻豆原创 compiled a list to show the last time each state raised their gas tax. Click through to see where each state stands.
RELATED: Click to see the cost of gas the year you started driving.
#51. Oklahoma
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0
On June 27, Oklahoma for the first time in more than 30 years. The new rate increased the tax from 3 cents to 19 cents per gallon. The state decided to raise the gas tax because general funds that were previously used to fund transportation are currently .
#50. Vermont
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.1
Vermont instituted a on their gas tax in 2013, and a .42-cent increase went . The state鈥檚 tax is linked to the price of gasoline, . However, the price on gas is a , with motorists paying the federal tax, as well as a state tax and two assessments.
#49. New York
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.3
The gas tax at the beginning of 2018. Counties in New York apply based on percentage or cents-per-gallon, so the total amount a customer pays depends on which county they purchase the gas in.
#48. Florida
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.3
Florida鈥檚 tax rate at the beginning of 2018. The overall cost of gas varies by county, but the annual tax is .
#47. Georgia
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.3
Georgia enacted a in 2015, but their new tax formula allows for that allow adjustments for inflation and fuel efficiency. A .3-cent increase took place on Jan. 1, 2017, and the latest increase took effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
#46. North Carolina
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.3
In 2015, the gas tax increased . A recent increase of .8 cents occurred on Jan. 1 because the state鈥檚 new gas tax formula takes population and energy prices into account, allowing for future increases.
#45. Nebraska
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.3
Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed an increase in 2015, but the was enacted anyway. The increase will take place in 1.5-cent increments, with the last increase on Jan. 1, 2019. Nebraska鈥檚 tax rate actually fell by 4 cents on July 1 because their current formula is based on .
#44. Oregon
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.3
In 2017, Oregon passed legislation enacting a 10-cent increase on gas that will be implemented in four stages. A 4-cent increase took effect , and the final 2-cent increase will take place on Jan. 1, 2024.
#43. Indiana
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.4
Note: Indiana applies general sales tax to gasoline, so its gas tax rates are updated based on changes in the price of gas, but this is not reflected in the data.
Indiana that increased the gas tax by 10 cents, with a 1-cent increase annually through 2024. The latest increase went into effect on July 1. The new formula takes into account inflation and the rate of Indiana鈥檚 personal income growth.
#42. California
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.5
On Nov. 1, 2017, California raised their tax by 12 cents on gasoline, an . In November, whether to repeal the new vehicle and gas taxes.
#41. Maryland
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.8
Starting in 2013, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley that takes inflation and fuel prices into account. The tax has increased 10.3 cents, with the latest having taken effect on .
#40. West Virginia
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.8
Since West Virginia鈥檚 gas tax is linked to the price of gas鈥攚hich produces less revenue when it falls鈥攖he state increased the floor on their gasoline tax by .
#39. Montana
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.8
On to help pay for the state鈥檚 highways and roads. The rate will eventually increase to 6 cents by 2023. This is the first gas tax increase Montana has enacted in 23 years.
#38. Tennessee
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.8
The Volunteer State on July 1 after an initial went into effect July 1, 2017. A poll by The Tennessee Star shows of the tax increase, which is set to by July 2019.
#37. South Carolina
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 0.8
South Carolina raised their tax rate on July 1. The state is set to annually raise the gas tax by .
#36. Michigan
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 1.3
Note: Michigan applies general sales tax to gasoline, so its gas tax rates are updated based on changes in the price of gas, but this is not reflected in the data.
Michigan raised its gas tax on Jan. 1, 2017. Starting in 2022, the tax will increase annually in relation to inflation.
#35. Pennsylvania
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 1.3
Pennsylvania to its gas tax on July 1, 2017. The state linked its gas tax to fuel prices starting in 2014, which has increased the tax rate .
#34. New Jersey
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 1.5
The Garden State increased its gas tax by 22.6 cents on Nov. 1, 2016, the first boost in 28 years. In the future, New Jersey will raise the tax based on a .
#33. Washington
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 1.8
Washington increased their gas tax : The first rate hike of 7 cents went into effect on Aug. 1, 2015. The of 4.9 cents took place on July 1, 2016.
#32. Utah
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 2.3
An increase went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016. In the future, Utah will raise its gas tax with fuel prices and inflation in mind. Almost half of Utah voters are to fund improvements for roads.
#31. Rhode Island
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 2.8
Under legislation enacted in 2014, Rhode Island linked their gas tax to inflation and will adjust the rate . This resulted in a on July 1, 2015.
#30. Idaho
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 2.8
Idaho instituted a gas tax increase on July 1, 2015. In 2017, legislation proposing an additional 5-cent increase .
#29. South Dakota
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 3.1
South Dakota increased their gas tax on April 1, 2015. The gas tax was previously increased in 1999.
#28. Iowa
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 3.2
On March 1, 2015, Iowa increased their gas tax . The revenue helped repair ailing bridges and roads in almost every county in the state.
#27. Virginia
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 3.3
Earlier this year, Virginia legislators voted to set a . In 2013, Virginia raised gas taxes in . Outside of this area, because the state switched from charging price-per-gallon to charging a percentage of the cost of gasoline. At the beginning of 2015, on wholesale gas went into effect.
#26. New Hampshire
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 3.8
On July 1, 2014, New Hampshire raised their gas tax by 4.2 cents. Revenue generated by the tax hike helped the state pay for a variety of .
#25. Kentucky
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 3.8
In 2015, Kentucky settled on a minimum 鈥渇loor鈥 for the state鈥檚 gas tax, which is tied to the wholesale price of gasoline. This resulted in a . Earlier this year, lawmakers proposed raising the gas tax by 10 cents to .
#24. Massachusetts
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 4.8
Massachusetts implemented a 3-cent gas tax increase on July 31, 2013鈥攖he. The following year, keeping the part of the gas tax that would help Massachusetts keep up with inflation automatically.
#23. Wyoming
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 4.8
A 10-cent gas tax increase went into effect on July 1, 2013. Enacting this increase made to green light a gas tax in almost four years.
#22. Connecticut
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 4.8
Connecticut 鈥攚hich is based on the wholesale price of gasoline鈥攊n July 2013, from 7% to 8.1%. Gov. Dannel Malloy proposed legislation this year seeking over four stages.
#21. Minnesota
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 5.8
Minnesota last raised its gas tax in 2008, with an and an phased in over five years. In November, Minnesotans will vote on whether sales tax from auto-related purchases鈥斺攕hould go toward funding infrastructure.
#20. Maine
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 6.8
Maine鈥檚 gas tax has , when the state voted to stop adjusting annually for inflation. Like many other states, Maine鈥檚 infrastructure needs more funds to repair roads and bridges, but legislation to was unsuccessful in 2017. Earlier this year, democratic lawmakers voted down a proposal that would have collected an annual fee for .
#19. Washington, D.C.
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 8.6
Legislation enacted in 2013 got rid of the city鈥檚 23.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax and on the wholesale purchase of gasoline. The rate has the potential to increase the District of Columbia鈥檚 tax rate since it is now .
#18. Hawaii
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 10.8
Note: Hawaii applies general sales tax to gasoline, so its gas tax rates are updated based on changes in the price of gas, but this is not reflected in the data.
Hawaiian motorists pay the country鈥檚 because are added on top of the state tax rate, which hasn鈥檛 changed in a decade. Hawaii unsuccessfully tried to .
#17. Wisconsin
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 12.1
Legislators voted to stop the to Wisconsin's gas tax in 2005, leaving the last increase occurring in 2006. Gov. Scott Walker has who want to increase the state's gas tax to pay for maintaining highways and local roads. Some want to boost the tax by a set amount, while others would like an automatic increase annually based on inflation.
#16. Ohio
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 12.8
Ohio raised the gas tax on July 1, 2005. Since the state hasn鈥檛 increased the tax on gasoline in more than a decade, lawmakers have proposed replacing the 28-cent gas tax with a $140 annual fee for license plates.
#15. North Dakota
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 12.8
North Dakota last raised their gas tax in 2005, from 21 cents per gallon to 23 cents. To pay for the upkeep of North Dakota highways, the state legislature on fuel when they convene in 2019.
#14. Kansas
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 14.8
The 24-cent tax on gasoline has not been adjusted . The legislation discussed by 5 cents in 2017, but didn鈥檛 take action.
#13. Arkansas
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 16.8
The gas tax in Arkansas settled on . This leaves the state鈥檚 gas tax below the national average.
#12. Missouri
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 22.1
In November, voters in Missouri will get the opportunity to decide on to help fund the Missouri Highway Patrol. The increase would be implemented in 2.5-cent increments over four years. Missouri's gas tax hasn't been raised for more than 20 years.
#11. Delaware
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 23.3
Lawmakers proposed raising the state gas tax by 10 cents in 2016, but the last time Delaware motorists saw an was in 1995.
#10. New Mexico
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 24.8
New Mexico has not raised their gas tax in more than two decades. The New Mexico Senate tried to by 10 cents in 2017, but the bill .
#9. Nevada
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 25.6
The state gas tax of 23 cents . However, motorists in Nevada still pay some of the country鈥檚 highest gas prices because of .
#8. Alabama
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 25.9
Alabama hasn鈥檛 increased it鈥檚 18-cent tax since 1992. While recent attempts to , lawmakers may bring up the option to increase the tax in 2019.
#7. Texas
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 26.6
The Lone Star State's 20-cent tax has . According to a 2016 poll by the , increasing the state gas tax by 5 cents or linking it to yearly inflation were the most supported ways to increase revenue for infrastructure.
#6. Colorado
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 27.3
The state gas tax hasn鈥檛 risen in Colorado since 1991. This might be because Colorado voters , according to the state鈥檚 Taxpayer鈥檚 Bill of Rights.
#5. Arizona
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 27.6
In 2017, a lawmaker tried to , but the tax hasn鈥檛 increased in almost 30 years. It has stayed at 18 cents since 1991.
#4. Illinois
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 28.3
Note: Illinois applies general sales tax to gasoline, so its gas tax rates are updated based on changes in the price of gas, but this is not reflected in the data.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Economic Policy Institute proposed raising the state鈥檚 gas tax from 34 cents per gallon . Illinois hasn鈥檛 raised their state tax on gas in almost 30 years, but motorists pay , resulting in one of the country鈥檚 highest price tags at the pump.
#3. Louisiana
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 28.3
In 2017, a Louisiana House Panel voted to , but the bill . Earlier this year, a bill that would have allowed East Baton Rouge and other parishes to failed to pass.
#2. Mississippi
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 29.3
Mississippi's 18.4 cent gas tax is the , but the state is still having a hard time increasing the almost 30-year-old rate. Earlier this year, proposed decreasing the income tax and increasing the gas tax by 8 cents over four years and tying it to inflation.
#1. Alaska
Years since last gasoline tax increase: 48
Residents of Anchorage started paying an extra 10 cents per gallon after the city earlier this year, but the state of Alaska hasn鈥檛 raised the gas tax despite Gov. Bill Walker鈥檚 proposal of tripling the 8-cent base fuel tax in 2016.
