DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

How Gas Taxes Affect the Price You Pay at the Pump

Federal and state gas taxes add to what drivers pay, but taxes are only one part of the pump price. See the January 2026 EIA figures and how to interpret them.
From TheFinanceBase Team9 min to read

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Gas taxes add to the price at the pump, but they are only one part of it. In January 2026, federal gasoline taxes and fees were 18.40 cents per gallon, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported average state taxes and fees of 33.27 cents per gallon under its definition. State charges vary, and crude oil, refining, distribution, marketing and local market conditions also shape what drivers pay.

What gas taxes add to a gallon

EIA reported federal gasoline taxes and fees of 18.40 cents per gallon in January 2026. That figure consists of an 18.30-cent federal excise tax and a 0.1-cent Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee. Because the federal amount is stated per gallon, it does not rise or fall with the posted price of gasoline.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

EIA’s January 2026 average for state taxes and fees was 33.27 cents per gallon. Add that state average to the federal figure and the result is a 51.67-cent-per-gallon subtotal: 18.40 cents federally plus 33.27 cents for state taxes and fees. This is a way to understand the two reported figures together, not a complete tax total for every driver. The state average excludes taxes based on gross or net receipts and does not include county or local taxes.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

For a practical sense of scale, a 12-gallon fill-up at those reported amounts corresponds to about $2.21 in federal taxes and fees and about $3.99 using the state average, or about $6.20 combined before any excluded taxes. These are calculations from per-gallon figures, not a receipt estimate for a particular location or station.

#1 Best Overall
Kinevolve Mouse Pad for Excel/Word/PowerPoint/Windows Shortcuts – Small Excel Cheat Sheet Desk Pad – 11.8"x9.8" Portable Computer Mousepad – Gaming, Office, Waterproof, Non-Slip, Stitched Edges
  • Compact & Portable Design: This Small Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Windows Cheat Sheet Mouse Pad measures 11.8" x 9.8", offering a portable mouse pad. Its compact size fits in bags or laptop cases, suitable for professionals, students, or travelers.
  • Multi-Software Shortcut Guide: Featuring essential shortcut keys for Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Windows, this small mouse pad provides a quick reference for frequently used shortcuts, offering a reference designed to support workflow efficiency
  • Smooth & Precise Surface: The finely-textured surface ensures precise mouse control, allowing for smooth and accurate movement during work or gaming sessions.
  • Durable & Non-Slip Design: This Multi-Software Shortcut Mouse Pad features stitched edges to reduce fraying. The non-slip rubber base helps keep it securely in place, and the water-resistant fabric allows for easier maintenance.
  • Clear Print Quality: Displays high-resolution printing intended to remain legible through regular use and cleaning

The per-gallon framing makes it possible to estimate how much a fixed charge contributes to a purchase of any size: multiply the gallons bought by the charge per gallon, after converting cents to dollars. For example, one cent per gallon amounts to 12 cents on 12 gallons. The final pump price still reflects all the listed components, and the calculation does not reveal charges omitted from the state average.

Why the tax share of the pump price changes

A per-gallon charge can be the same while its percentage of the price changes. If the retail price rises or falls, a fixed tax amount takes up a different share of each dollar paid. Other tax types can depend on the sale price, so when comparing locations it also matters whether a tax is a fixed per-gallon amount or varies with price.

EIA’s January 2026 national component estimate put regular gasoline at $2.809 per gallon, with taxes accounting for 18.4% of that price. Treat this as a snapshot for that month and the national estimate—not a permanent tax share, a forecast, or a figure for every state, city or station. The tax percentage changes as pump-price components change.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Taxes are only one component in EIA’s explanation of retail gasoline prices. The other components are crude oil, refining, distribution and marketing. EIA describes crude oil as the largest component, while noting that its share varies over time and across regions. Local conditions—including where a driver fuels and a station’s marketing strategy—also affect posted prices. As a result, a state with a higher gasoline tax does not necessarily have a higher pump price than another state at every moment: non-tax components and local conditions matter too.

That distinction is useful when interpreting a tax percentage. The 18.4% figure is not a tax rate that is applied uniformly to each gallon or a promise that taxes will account for that share at an individual station. It describes the estimated tax portion of the national regular-gasoline price in January 2026. If crude-oil costs or other components move while per-gallon taxes remain fixed, the tax share of the total changes even without a change to the fixed charge.

Rank #2
Office Desk Accessories 2pcs Computer Monitor Memo Board Office Supplies
  • [MULTIFUNCTIONAL]You'll get 2 pieces computer monitor memo boards that you can stick on the left and right edges of your monitor, and they're the perfect office desk organizers and accessories. Computer monitor side panels desktop organizer are suitable for home work or office,bringing convenience. Desktop memo is used to organize meeting memos, important messages, business cards, planning notes.Paste on the message board to keep track of important things and to-do items to prevent forgetting.
  • [🌟HIGHLY QUALITY] The material of computer screen side note holder is transparent acrylic. Durable, simple, stylish, light weight, easy to use, not easy to fall off or break. This cute office supplies for women desk can be used for a long time. This computer desk accessories is waterproof and dirt resistance, and look simple and stylish. The transparent acrylic sticky note holder as cubicle accessories is easy to notice the context of your sticky notes.
  • [📋Easy to use] Office must haves cool office gadgets for desk ready to tear, easy to install and remove, not easy to leave traces. You only need to peel off the protective film on the surface of the computer side board memo, wipe off the dust on the edge of the computer monitor, and then stick the desk essentials for women office on the right or left side of the tape, and you're done. A perfect gift for your colleagues, friends or classmates and family members or relatives
  • [🏢MULTI-SCENE USE] This desk supplies computer memo board can be applied to home and office, clear your office decor for women, suitable for most computer monitors, screens and cabinets, you can put it where you think, this cute office decor serve as a reminder. Stick on the computer side. It’s a good office gadgets can remind work improve office productivity. Pasted cabinets, dressers, refrigerators, walls, etc as cubicle accessories. To make life more orderly.
  • [💌NOTE] The adhesive force of the computer sticky note holder is very strong. It can not be directly pasted on the computer screen. It should pasted on the black edge of the screen. Narrow edge not recommended!!! If you are not satisfied with your purchase, or if the product is damaged or broken in transit, please let us know immediately. We will promptly solve your problem.

In EIA’s words, “The largest component of the retail price of gasoline is the cost of crude oil, and its share of the retail gasoline price varies over time and across regions of the country.” That is why looking only at tax amounts cannot explain every price difference drivers see.

How much state taxes vary

State taxes and fees differ substantially. EIA’s comparison for January 1, 2026 reported a low of 9.0 cents per gallon in Alaska and a high of 70.9 cents in California. Those figures cover state taxes and fees and exclude federal taxes. They illustrate the range between states, not the full tax burden at a specific pump.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
EIA figure Amount per gallon Date and scope
Federal taxes and fees 18.40 cents January 2026; includes an 18.30-cent excise tax and a 0.1-cent Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee
Average state taxes and fees 33.27 cents January 2026; excludes state taxes based on gross or net receipts and county or local taxes
Lowest state amount in the comparison 9.0 cents Alaska, January 1, 2026; state taxes and fees, excluding federal taxes
Highest state amount in the comparison 70.9 cents California, January 1, 2026; state taxes and fees, excluding federal taxes

The average and the state range answer different questions. The average is a national summary under EIA’s stated definition; Alaska’s and California’s figures show the spread in state taxes and fees. Neither should be treated as a full locality-by-locality total because county and local taxes are outside the reported figures. The state comparison also should not be read as including the federal amount.

Scope matters especially when using the 51.67-cent subtotal. It combines the January 2026 federal figure with the January 2026 state average, but the two figures are not a complete inventory of what every buyer pays in taxes. The average’s exclusions remain exclusions after adding the federal amount. Likewise, the 9.0- and 70.9-cent state endpoints are state-only comparisons; add federal taxes only if making a separate comparison with matching dates and clearly stated scope.

How to estimate the tax amount in a fill-up

To estimate the effect of a per-gallon amount, multiply it by the gallons purchased. Convert cents to dollars by dividing by 100. Using the January 2026 federal and average-state figures as an illustration:

Rank #3
Taja To Do List Notepad, Undated Daily Planner for Work and Goal Setting
  • Stay Organized with Ease: Our To Do List Notepad provides multiple sections with plenty of space to jot down all of your important tasks.A versatile office supply perfect for daily task management, helping you keep track of everything that needs to be done and prioritize effectively.
  • Achieve Your Productivity Goals: Begin each day on a positive note, reminding you of your potential, strength, and the significance of staying focused on your goals. Our Daily Checklist Notepad is the ultimate tool to streamline your daily planning and elevate your productivity. With a clear and concise overview of your tasks, you can effortlessly prioritize what truly matters and make consistent strides towards achieving your goals.
  • Reliable and Stylish: Our to do list planner combines functionality with durability. With a transparent PP cover, the inner pages are well-protected from dirt and wear. Additionally, the back cover is crafted with thick paperboard, offering a stable surface for your writing needs. Each notepad includes 52 pages of high-quality, 100gsm paper, which is thick and non-bleeding, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable writing experience.
  • Versatile Use: This daily checklist notepad, suitable for teacher supplies and a wide range of applications, proves invaluable in various settings including work, school, and home. Whether you need to organize your daily tasks, plan a project, or create a grocery list, this notepad serves as the ideal tool. Its compact size ensures easy portability, allowing you to conveniently carry it with you throughout your day.
  • Perfect Present for Anyone: Our Daily To-Do List Notepad is the perfect present for those who value organization and productivity. With its stylish design and versatility, this office desk accessory is also a practical addition to school supplies. Suitable for students, professionals, and homemakers alike, it helps keep tasks and priorities in check effortlessly.
  1. Find the gallons purchased. For example, use 12 gallons for a fill-up.
  2. Calculate the federal amount. Multiply 12 by $0.184, which gives $2.208, or about $2.21.
  3. Calculate the state-average amount. Multiply 12 by $0.3327, which gives $3.9924, or about $3.99.
  4. Add the two estimates. The result is $6.2004, or about $6.20, before taxes excluded from the state average.

This method estimates the amount represented by those per-gallon figures; it does not let a driver identify every tax applied at a particular station. The state figure is an average, and the EIA measure leaves out certain state and local charges.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

For an actual location, use a local tax figure with the same date and scope as the federal amount, and keep any percentage-based tax separate from fixed cents-per-gallon charges. If a tax depends on the sale price, its dollar effect can change with the price; do not treat it as a fixed cents-per-gallon amount unless the underlying figure is explicitly expressed that way. EIA’s national average is useful for context, not a substitute for a locality-specific breakdown.

How to compare taxes between two places or dates

A useful comparison keeps the date, geography and tax scope consistent. A state-level figure that excludes federal taxes cannot be directly compared with a total that includes them. Likewise, a state average that excludes county and local taxes is not a complete estimate for a city or neighborhood.

  • Match the date. Use figures from the same period; gasoline prices and tax data can change.
  • Match the geography. Confirm whether a number describes a state, the nation or a local area.
  • Match what is counted. Separate federal taxes, state taxes and fees, and county or local taxes. Check whether state gross- or net-receipts taxes are included.
  • Check how the tax is calculated. Distinguish a fixed per-gallon amount from a tax whose amount depends on the sale price.
  • Keep price and tax measures separate. A tax-rate comparison alone does not explain the difference between pump prices, which also reflect crude oil, refining, distribution, marketing and local conditions.

EIA’s historical state gasoline-price data include federal and state taxes but exclude local taxes. EIA states that those data are expressed in dollars per million British thermal units; converting them to approximate dollars per gallon requires heat-content information. That unit difference matters when using the historical series to compare prices with figures already stated per gallon.

When comparing a state pair, do not combine figures from different dates or treat the endpoints as if they cover every kind of tax. The January 1, 2026 range describes state taxes and fees; the January national pump-price estimate uses a different geography and answers a different question. A sound comparison states whether it is comparing the amount of taxes per gallon or the total retail price, and whether federal, state, county and local charges are included.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Gogoonike Adjustable Laptop Stand for Desk, Metal Laptop Riser Holder
  • 【Adjustable & Ergonomic】:This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
  • 【Sturdy & Protective】 :Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
  • 【Heat Dissipation】 :The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
  • 【Portable & Foldable】:The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
  • 【Broad Compatibility】:Our desktop book stand is compatible with all laptops from 10-15.6 inches, such as MacBook Air/ Pro, Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc.Be your ideal companion in Home, Office & Outdoor.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What these figures can—and cannot—tell you

The January 2026 figures show the scale of federal and average state gasoline taxes and fees, while the January 1 state comparison shows how widely state amounts can differ. They do not establish the complete tax total for a specific driver, since the average omits some state taxes and county or local charges. Nor can tax figures alone explain why one station’s posted price is above another’s: the rest of the price reflects other market components and local conditions.

Use the dates alongside the numbers. EIA’s federal and state fuel-tax material is updated semiannually, while pump prices and their component shares vary over time and location. The figures here are dated January 2026 examples, not a claim that the same amounts or price share apply now or everywhere. EIA’s fuel-tax explainer and state comparison give gasoline figures; do not assume the amounts apply to diesel.

For historical comparisons, note the unit as well as the tax scope. EIA’s historical state gasoline-price series is reported in dollars per million British thermal units, not dollars per gallon, and excludes local taxes while including federal and state taxes. It can be converted to an approximate per-gallon amount using heat-content information, but the units should not be compared as though they were identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much federal tax is included in a gallon of gasoline?

EIA reported 18.40 cents per gallon in federal gasoline taxes and fees in January 2026: an 18.30-cent excise tax plus a 0.1-cent Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What was the average state gas tax in January 2026?

EIA reported average state taxes and fees of 33.27 cents per gallon. Its definition includes generally applicable state excise, environmental and special taxes, and inspection fees; it excludes state taxes based on gross or net receipts and county or local taxes.

Best Value
Hiacry 8 Pack Gel Pens, Quick-Drying Black Ink, 0.7mm Fine Point Fidget Pen
  • Twin-Ball Design : Hiacry gel pen features a double ball conical tip that reduces writing resistance and provides a stable and smooth writing experience. 0.7mm quick drying black ink ensures no jumping, leakage or seepage.
  • Quick-Dry Long Lasting Ink:0.7mm black ink can slide effortlessly, dry immediately, & is not easily dirty. It has a high-capacity reservoir (up to 1300 meters), which is very suitable for left-handed & right-handed users.
  • Sleek Design for Journaling & Planning: Engineered with a low center of gravity and precision tip for steady ink flow, these journaling pens excel at note-taking, sketching, planning, and more. They combine stylish pens with top-tier performance.
  • Rolling Ball Design:The pocket clip with roll ball design can be easily attached to notebook pockets and binders, in addition, the fidget on the pen clip is also a small toy for your daily thinking to relieve stress.
  • Comfortable Non-Slip Grip:The ergonomic pen barrel has a soft rubberized coating for a comfortable, non-slip grip, so you won't get fatigued even after long hours of writing.

Which states had the lowest and highest amounts in EIA’s January 2026 comparison?

As of January 1, 2026, Alaska was lowest at 9.0 cents per gallon and California highest at 70.9 cents per gallon. Those are state taxes and fees, excluding federal taxes.

Why does the tax percentage of a gallon’s price change?

A fixed per-gallon charge can stay the same while the retail price changes, so the charge represents a different percentage of the total. EIA’s January 2026 national estimate put taxes at 18.4% of the $2.809-per-gallon regular-gasoline price; that is a dated national estimate, not a constant share for every location.

Can I use the national state average to calculate the exact taxes on my fill-up?

No. The 33.27-cent figure is a state average under EIA’s definition, not a local total. It excludes state gross- or net-receipts taxes and county or local taxes, so an exact local estimate requires figures with the applicable location and tax scope.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Do these gasoline figures also apply to diesel?

No. The amounts in this article are gasoline figures and should not be applied to diesel.

The Bottom Line

Gas taxes raise the per-gallon price, but they are only one part of what drivers pay. EIA’s January 2026 figures were 18.40 cents per gallon federally and a 33.27-cent state average under its definition; state taxes and fees ranged from 9.0 cents in Alaska to 70.9 cents in California on January 1. Those dated figures exclude some taxes, and crude oil, refining, distribution, marketing and local conditions also affect the pump price.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.