Illinois Gas Tax

Illinois’s gas prices are at a record high with the current motor fuel use tax of $0.392 per gallon as of January 1, 2022.
Written by Pat Roache
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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As of January 1, 2022, the motor fuel use tax in Illinois is $0.392 per gallon—only a mere 1.3% increase from last year and yet a record high for gas prices in the Land of Lincoln
Illinois
already has a reputation for having some of the highest gas prices in the midwest. Factor in the supply-chain obstacles resulting from the pandemic, climate change, and foreign affairs, and you’ve got an equation for some seriously expensive fuel. Unfortunately, Illinois’s record-high gas tax doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.  
Get a better understanding of the Illinois gas tax with
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, the
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that knows how to save you money on
car insurance
and other car expenses. We’re diving into why Illinois gas prices are so high, plus how to save money at the pump.

How much is the Illinois gas tax?

The 2022 Illinois gas tax is set at $0.392 per gallon. That’s a five-cent increase compared to the 2021 Illinois gas tax of $0.387—or about 1.3%—and the result is about $0.75 more per fill-up.
While a difference of less than a dollar may seem dismissible, Illinois drivers are monitoring gas prices by the penny. The 2022 Ilinois motor tax raise occurred amid some of the highest gas prices the state—and the entire country—has ever seen. 
Considering the motor fuel tax in Illinois was $0.19 as recently as 2019, these rising trends are enough to cause any Illinois resident to change their driving habits.

Is gas tax relief on the way in Illinois?

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other state lawmakers have already rolled out certain plans to provide relief to Illinois residents in response to rising tax rates across multiple industries. 
Illinois programs that have targeted or will target gas tax relief include the following provisions of the
Family Relief Plan
, which went into effect on June 30, 2022:
  • Gas tax increases that were supposed to take place on July 1, 2022, have been suspended until July 1, 2023.
  • Qualifying Illinois residents who filed property and income taxes for the 2021 calendar year will begin receiving tax rebates of $50 to $400, depending on their circumstances.
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How high are gas prices in Illinois?

Gas prices can fluctuate by the day, but as of September 2022, the average price for a gallon of gas in Illinois is around $4.103, according to AAA. 
For reference, the national average was $3.765 at the time this number was recorded. Illinois is not nearly as expensive as states like California or Nevada, but prices in Northeastern Illinois can significantly surpass the state average. Metropolitan areas in the rest of the state may be on the lower end, but they still ride dangerously close to the state average.
For example, Chicago has the worst average gas prices at $4.735 per gallon compared to $3.760 just one year ago. The gas prices in the rest of Cook County average out to $4.469 per gallon. On the other hand, Peoria—another major urban center located towards the center of the state—is seeing average gas prices of $3.986 per gallon. That’s a much more modest price hike compared to Peoria’s $3.294 a year prior.
If Chicago’s gas prices seem expensive, it’s because they are! And don’t forget that
Chicago car insurance costs
are the most expensive in the state, so drivers in this metropolitan area have a lot of variable costs to consider. 
Compare the average September 2022 gas prices according to AAA in some of Illinois’s other major cities below:
  • Bloomington: $3.936 per gallon (vs. $3.200 in September 2021)
  • Champaign-Urbana: $3.757 per gallon (vs. $3.217 in September 2021)
  • Decatur: $3.779 per gallon (vs. $3.251 in September 2021)
  • Rockfield: $4.116 per gallon (vs. $3.269 in September 2021) 
  • Springfield: $3.901 per gallon (vs. $3.263 in September 2021)
MORE: How to deal with rising gas prices in Illinois
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Which state has the highest gas tax? 

Illinois has the sixth-highest gas tax in the nation and the most expensive gas tax in the midwest. Compare the gas tax rates of all 50 states (and Washington D.C.) in September 2022 using the table below:
State
Gas tax
Alabama
$0.28 per gallon
Alaska
$0.0895 per gallon
Arizona
$0.18 per gallon
Arkansas
$0.245 per gallon
California
$0.539 per gallon
Colorado
$0.22 per gallon
Connecticut
$0.0 per gallon
Delaware
$0.23 per gallon
District of Columbia
$0.235 per gallon
Florida
$0.334 per gallon
Georgia
$0.0 per gallon
Hawaii
$0.16 per gallon
Idaho
$0.32 per gallon
Illinois
$0.392 per gallon
Indiana
$0.33 per gallon
Iowa
$0.24 to $0.305 per gallon
Kansas
$0.240 per gallon
Kentucky
$0.246 per gallon
Louisiana
$0.20 per gallon
Maine
$0.30 per gallon
Maryland
$0.427 per gallon
Massachusetts
$0.24 per gallon
Michigan
$0.272 per gallon
Minnesota
$0.285 per gallon
Mississippi
$0.18 per gallon
Missouri
$0.22 per gallon
Montana
$0.33 per gallon
Nebraska
$0.248 per gallon
Nevada
$0.23 per gallon
New Hampshire
$0.222 per gallon
New Jersey
$0.421 per gallon
New Mexico
$0.17 per gallon
New York
$0.1735 per gallon
North Carolina
$0.385 per gallon
North Dakota
$0.230 per gallon
Ohio
$0.385 per gallon
Oklahoma
$0.19 per gallon
Oregon
$0.38 per gallon
Pennsylvania
$0.576 per gallon
Rhode Island
$0.34 per gallon
South Carolina
$0.28 per gallon
South Dakota
$0.28 per gallon
Tennessee
$0.26 per gallon
Texas
$0.20 per gallon
Utah
$0.319 per gallon
Vermont
$0.316 per gallon
Virginia
$0.28 per gallon
Washington
$0.494 per gallon
West Virginia
$0.357 per gallon
Wisconsin
$0.309 per gallon
Wyoming
$0.24 per gallon
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How to save on fuel and insurance costs in Illinois

Pro tip: combat the impact of Illinois’s motor fuel tax with mindful driving habits like following speed limits and keeping up with
proper maintenance
. These habits will also help when it comes to your car’s repair and insurance costs.
Speaking of insurance costs, why not take some time to review yours and ensure you’re not overspending?
Jerry
makes finding the best insurance prices for your location and driver profile easier than ever! Just download the app, complete a quick 45-second questionnaire, and watch as Jerry generates the most competitive quotes from 55+ top insurance providers.
The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year— and that could come in handy the next time you pull up to the Illinois pumps!
“You must get this app! It’s my first time getting my own insurance, so I called a few companies myself. Their rates priced me around $600/month. I used
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