Iowa Gas Tax

While the average gas price in Iowa is $3.691 per gallon, the Iowa gas tax sits at $0.300 per gallon.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Updated on Oct 19, 2022
As of October 1, 2022, the Iowa gas tax is $0.300 per gallon. The last time it increased was in 2015 by $0.10.
From heat waves to droughts to tornadoes, Iowans have been dealing with their fair share of events in 2022. Along with all other Americans, Iowans are dealing with high gas prices, not to mention a pesky gas tax that doesn’t look like it's going anywhere anytime soon.
Jerry
, the
car insurance
app that makes comparing rates quick and easy, is here to tell you everything you need to know about Iowa’s fuel excise tax (aka gas tax). We’ll also give you a few tips on keeping your
Iowa car insurance costs
low.
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How much is the Iowa gas tax?

Iowa’s gas tax is $0.300 per gallon, and it's been that way since the Iowa General Assembly enacted a $0.100 increase back in 2015. Even though that increase has been on the books for a while now, Iowans are no doubt feeling the effects of high gas prices—as are most Americans. 
Fuel prices are in a significant amount of flux, especially with the war in Ukraine dragging on and adding more volatility to overall oil prices. And, of course, fuel excise taxes tacked onto higher gas prices don’t help anyone at the pump.

Is gas tax relief on the way in Iowa?

At the moment, there is no indication that Iowa’s General Assembly is ready to reduce the state’s gas tax or introduce a tax holiday. Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley has said that a state gas tax holiday isn’t a good idea, considering the tax is used to fund repairs for critical Iowa infrastructure, such as roads, highways, and bridges.

How high are gas prices in Iowa?

According to AAA, Iowa’s average gas price is $3.691 per gallon, which ranks as the 23rd most expensive out of all 50 states. In comparison, Iowa’s average gas price was $3.017 in October 2021.
The national average for gas prices at the time of writing is $3.831, meaning drivers in Iowa are getting a relative bargain at the pump, even if it doesn’t quite feel that way.
How much you pay for gas in Iowa will depend on where you’re filling up. Surprisingly, the average gas price in
Des Moines
, Iowa’s biggest city, isn’t the most expensive in the state. You’ll pay $3.665 per gallon of gas in Des Moines, putting it just below the state’s five most expensive locations. 
According to AAA, here’s how the average gallon of gas compares to the most expensive cities in Iowa to fill up:
  • Dubuque
    : $3.774 per gallon (vs. $3.070 in October 2021)
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls: $3.762 per gallon (vs. $2.994 in October 2021)
  • Ames
    : $3.744 per gallon (vs. $3.062 in October 2021)
  • Iowa City
    : $3.741 per gallon (vs. $3.057 in October 2021) 
  • Cedar Rapids
    : $3.708 per gallon (vs. $3.025 in October 2021)
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Which state has the highest gas tax?

As mentioned, Iowa’s gas tax sits at 23rd in the nation. It pales in comparison to states like
Pennsylvania
and
California
, the two runaway leaders in fuel excise tax rates across the country. 
Here’s how states measure up in terms of gas tax rates:
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

How to save on fuel and insurance costs in Iowa

Thankfully, there are a few ways you can cut your fuel bill. Avoid sudden acceleration and hard stops when possible, don’t idle your vehicle, and keep up with your automaker’s recommended
car maintenance schedule
. This will help reduce your gas usage and could even help you lower your repair and
car insurance
costs.
Another way to keep your overall costs down is to make sure you carry high-quality car insurance—without overpaying for it.
Jerry
can help! Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then our
trustworthy super app
gets to work, comparing quotes from more than 50 top insurers and delivering the best deals straight to you. 
Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!
“This was the coolest insurance app I’ve seen so far. They saved me $1,200 and their UX is stellar. Go
Jerry
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