Amid the Iran War, gas and oil prices have continued to fluctuate, causing headaches and concern for drivers across the country and in Philadelphia.
If you’re driving in the area, you’ve likely felt the hit to your wallet of national average gas prices that surged past the $4 mark for the first time since 2022 this spring.
Now, as many grapple with the rise of gas costs in the U.S., President Donald Trump may be “open” to pausing the federal tax on gas, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Here’s what you need to know about the federal gas tax, a breakdown of state gas tax in Pennsylvania, and how much gas costs in Philadelphia’s metro area.
What Is the Federal Gas Tax?
The federal gas tax in the United States is a flat rate of about 18 cents on each gallon of non-aviation gasoline and about 24 cents on a gallon of diesel fuel.
What Is the Gas Tax in Pennsylvania?
Drivers in Pennsylvania pay what is called a Motor Fuel Tax when they get gas at PA pumps. It is one of the highest in the nation, behind only California and Illinois.
For the 2026 tax period, the liquid fuels tax rate (which includes motor gasoline) is $0.576/gallon, according to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
So, if the average sedan has a fuel tank that holds 13 to 16 gallons of gas, that equates to anywhere from $7.49 to $9.22 in state gas taxes for a full tank. Add in the 18.4 cents per gallon for the federal gas tax and you’re paying about $9 to $13 in fuel taxes alone.
How Much Is Gas in Philadelphia?
On the AAA retail map, Pennsylvania’s average price for regular gas on Monday, May 11 was $4.672 per gallon, and diesel was averaging $5.962 per gallon.
On a county breakdown, Philadelphia County saw an average of $4.676 per gallon, and the Philadelphia metro average for regular gas sat at $4.633 per gallon.
Reporting by Kaitlyn McCormick, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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