Washington Gas Tax
At $0.49 per gallon, Washington State has the third highest gas tax rate in the nation—and it’s set to almost double in 2023.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
As of September 2022, the fuel excise tax in Washington State is $0.49 per gallon. But under legislation set to go into effect on January 1, 2023, the state gas tax will jump to $0.95 per gallon.
It’s been a rough year for gas prices nationwide, and the west coast has had it worse than many other parts of the country. Though prices have come down as of late, it’s still pretty expensive to fill up your tank and is likely to remain that way—especially in Washington State, where fuel taxes are among the nation’s highest.
Come along with the trustworthy super app and master
car insurance
comparison shopper, Jerry
, as we take a look at what’s up with the gas tax in Washington State. While we can’t change the tax rate, we can tell you how to save some money on both your fuel costs and your Washington car insurance
.Let’s fill you in on what you need to know about the gas tax in Washington State!
How much is the Washington gas tax?
As of September 2022, Washington State’s gas tax is $0.49 per gallon. This places Washington third in the nation when it comes to fuel excise taxes, behind only California and Pennsylvania.
Enter Washington State
Senate Bill 5126
—passed in 2021, this bill is part of an ambitious package of legislation
that is aimed at cutting emissions in Washington State by up to 50% in the next nine years. It’s a wonderful goal, of course, but it comes with a downside. As of January 1, 2023, Washington State’s gas tax will increase by $0.46 to a whopping $0.95 per gallon. That’s not the end of it—the tax will continue to rise, with the goal being a total increase of $0.80 a gallon by 2030.
The aim of this is to drastically cut emissions, which is a massively important priority on a global level—but takes a major toll on Washingtonians’ wallets.
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Is gas tax relief on the way in Washington?
Not so much. President Biden had proposed a national gas tax holiday in the summer of 2021, but the bill never got out of committee and is not likely to see the light of day. He called on the states to enact a gas tax holiday at a local level, but Gov. Inslee was
not on board with it
. Unfortunately, not only is there no sign of gas tax relief in Washington, they’re set to almost double in 2023. Feeling the urge to go shopping for hybrid or
electric cars
? We get it. How high are gas prices in Washington?
As of September 2022, AAA reports that the average price of a gallon of gas in Washington State is roughly $5.02.
This is much more expensive than the current national average of $3.75 per gallon and places Washington in the top five nationwide when it comes to gas prices. Keep in mind that the cost to fill up your tank varies by region, with the eastern half of the state having lower prices, and the western side having the highest prices.
For example, drivers in Seattle can expect to pay around $5.18 per gallon, while Spokane drivers pay around $4.66 per gallon to fill up. Here are some average gas prices from a few other major cities in Washington as of September 2022:
- Tacoma: $5.07 per gallon (vs. $3.90 in September 2021)
- Vancouver: $5.09 per gallon (vs. $3.73 in September 2021)
- Olympia: $5.05 per gallon (vs. $3.93 in September 2021)
- Walla Walla: $4.87 per gallon (vs. $3.75 in September 2021)
- Yakima: $4.81 per gallon (vs. $3.72 in September 2021)
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Which state has the highest gas tax?
Washington’s gas tax is currently the third-highest in the nation, with just California and Pennsylvania having a higher rate. After January 1, 2023, it will have the dubious honor of rocketing to the top of the list.
Take a look at the table below to find the gas tax rates in other states 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 | $0.334 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 Washington
You may not have much control over the cost of gas, but there are a few things you can do to get the most out of each gallon. Aim to drive smoothly and steadily, as rapid acceleration is bad for fuel economy. Follow a regular
maintenance schedule
and make sure your tires are at the proper level of inflation—these factors both affect your gas consumption! Last but not least, shop for your
car insurance
with the Jerry
super app! Not only is the process incredibly fast and easy, but you’ll also get a fantastic rate on the coverage you need. Give it a try and see for yourself—on average, Jerry shoppers save more than $800 a year on their car insurance premiums, which helps to keep gas tanks and wallets full. “The best car insurance app for young people! I constantly have troubles with insurance because I’m 19. WithJerry, I found a reasonable rate quickly!” —Olivia Y.
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