Mississippi Gas Tax
Despite having one of the lowest gas taxes in the nation, Mississippians are still feeling the crunch at the pump.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Since 1989, the fuel excise tax in
Mississippi
has been $0.18 per gallon. Even though this amount remains unchanged, residents of Mississippi have lately seen record highs for gas prices in the state.Mississippi faces a lot of struggles—as the poorest state in the nation, its social programs are struggling and education systems are routinely underfunded. Mississippians faced a new challenge when fuel prices skyrocketed in March of 2022—and they haven’t felt any relief. It doesn’t seem like the fuel tax is going anywhere just yet.
This article is filled with all details you need on the Mississippi gas tax. Let's go over the history and the future of the tax.
How much is the Mississippi gas tax?
The rate for Mississippi’s gas tax for 2022–2023 is $0.18 per gallon. That amount has been unchanged since it was first implemented in 1989. While there have been talks in the state legislature on increasing the tax, some lawmakers have pushed back against imposing such measures.
As a result, Mississippians enjoy one of the lowest gas tax rates in the country. On average, the gas tax costs an extra $2.70 each time you purchase a full tank of gas. Compare that to Californians, whose gas tax costs them an extra $8.09 per tank.
Despite their low gas tax rate, Mississippians have still felt the increase in fuel costs after war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, leading to a worldwide energy crunch as nations rushed to replace Russian fuel with other sources.
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Is gas tax relief on the way in Mississippi?
While state lawmakers debated suspending the $0.18 gas tax in early summer of 2022, no such legislation has been passed. Suspending the gas tax would certainly bring relief at the pump to thousands of Mississippians, but some lawmakers argue the state cannot afford to lose the funds due to failing infrastructure statewide.
Other lawmakers argue that because Mississippi has had such a successful fiscal year, the state can absorb the loss of gas tax revenue without interrupting infrastructure repairs. Some state officials worry that the rise in hybrid and electric vehicles will lead to a permanent loss in revenue due to less gas being purchased. They contend the gas tax should be preserved as long as possible so the state can maximize a crucial revenue source.
How high are gas prices in Mississippi?
According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of gas in Mississippi is around $3.067 (as of September 2022).
The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.797, making Mississippi the least expensive state for gas in 2022. But, not every gas station in the state sees prices as low as these. The counties with the lowest gas prices are mostly concentrated in the southern region of Mississippi, with pockets of inexpensive gas evenly distributed through the rest of the state.
For example, look at the difference between the least expensive county (Simpson County at $2.92/gallon) and the most expensive county (Claiborne County at $3.69/gallon). They sit roughly 70 miles apart, but the price difference between the two counties is $0.77. That’s an extra $11.55 per tank!
Despite the steep price difference, both counties are seeing an increase in gas costs from one year ago. In 2021, the average price for a tank of gas in Mississippi was $2.818. Even though you’ll find the lowest gas prices in Mississippi, residents are still feeling the squeeze on their wallets.
Here’s how the gas prices break down in Mississippi’s major metropolitan areas based on September 2022 data from AAA:
- Biloxi: $2.992 per gallon (vs. $2.778 in September 2021)
- Hattiesburg: $3.201 per gallon (vs. $2.844 in September 2021)
- Jackson: $2.995 per gallon (vs. $2.820 in September 2021)
- South Haven: $3.089 per gallon (vs. $2.789 in September 2021)
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Which state has the highest gas tax?
Mississippi unsurprisingly has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country—it’s tied for fifth-lowest in the nation with Arizona at $0.18. Check the table below to see how other states’ gas taxes compare as of September 2022.
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 | $0.19 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 Mississippi
When you’re used to cheap fuel costs like most Mississippians, you feel the increase at the pump more acutely. You can save on gas by accelerating slowly, not letting your engine idle, and following a regular
maintenance schedule
for your car. Another way to save on car ownership is by looking for more affordable Mississippi car insurance
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