One of the biggest costs for many RVers is that of fuel. Most watch the fuel price boards with a close eye. Come the turn of the year, you may see some changes on those price boards. Fuel tax rates in many states will change with the calendar. And, as expected, the rates will be up, not down, in most places.
Fuel tax rates—a penny or less
For some states, ringing in the new year won’t ring up too much at the cash register. Here are the states where the new tax hikes will be a penny or less.
- Florida
- Georgia
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
And more than a cent change?
Other states will see motor fuel tax rates change by more than a penny on the gallon. Michigan’s rate will bump up 1.4 cents. Its fuel tax rate is tied directly to the consumer price index. Inflation increase? Sure enough, you pay more at the pump. The tax rate on both gasoline and diesel will now hit 30 cents.
Oregon will beat Michigan in the “how much more” game. Travel in this West Coast state will rise—a two cent jump comes on line. That make’s Oregon’s per-gallon tax rate 40 cents after the turn of the year. If you drive something really big, exceeding 26,000 pounds GVW, you also get to pay a new, per-mile tax.
Pennsylvania—a bell ringer!
Breaking away from the tax-hike pack, Pennsylvania rings its bell by actually dropping tax rates a bit. The huge, 61.1 cent gas tax drops by three-and-a-half cents per gallon. That’ll take it down to 57.5 cents. Diesel fuel users will get a 4.4 cent drop. Still, diesel tax is significantly higher—at present it’s 78.5 cents a gallon.
Finally, West Virginia checks in with a complex fuel tax calculation. Fuel taxes here are a combination of a flat tax, and a variable rate tax. For 2023, the gas and diesel taxes were 37.2 cents. The fuel tax on both will drop 1.5 cents to 35.7 cents for 2024. The flat rate stays at 20.5 cents, while the variable rate will be 15.2 cents.
Don’t laugh yet—other states can pull a fast one
Don’t see one of your traveling states on the lists above? Don’t chuckle just yet. There are a number of states that have “automatic adjustments” that can kick in based on how they’re figured. These can jack up (or occasionally reduce) tax rates without a calendar date. You may see a tax rate kick in overnight, any old time.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports 23 states use variable-rate state fuel taxes.
Inflation triggers changes in Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Tax rates can change because of wholesale fuel prices in Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia. And a combination of factors is tied to rate changes in Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Utah.
##RVT1137b
Oh boy. Can’t wait to ring in the New Year with more taxes. Thanks for the report, I think, Russ and Tina….🤔
Thank you, Russ and Tina! I guess Tennessee is holding its cards too close to its chest for any hint of its plans, huh? We’re a bit naturally talented when it comes to inscrutability. 😉
Your photo of the Washington state and federal taxes was one of the first photos I took in 2016 when I moved to your state. I haven’t seen that sticker recently on the pumps. It can only go up. I would be interested to know how the Oregon diesel tax is going to work with us folks with the 30,000 lbs GVW Class A motorhome. Taxed per mile (how?) or at the diesel pump.
Oregon residents only ☹️
Taxes, taxes, and MORE taxes. The American way.
How else do you pay for the homeless and all the illegal immigrants – oh wait, they’re called unhoused and undocumented.
There is a hidden “Gotcha” in Michigan fuel taxes… The charge a sales amount based sales tax too. Since we pay that sales tax on the total purchase, we pay a sales tax on the fuel tax too. Pretty Slick – Huh??
No change in Texas.
Shhhhhhh.
And this has to do with dispersed camping how?