(The Center Square) – Motorists in Georgia will continue to benefit at the pump through a fuel tax suspension following Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to extend it through Nov. 30.
A gallon is $5.71 as of Sunday evening, up from a year ago at $3.48. A regular gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is $3.74 as of Sunday evening, an 86-cent increase over last year when it was $2.80.
The suspension waives the 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon for diesel that motorists pay at the pump, according to Kemp’s office.
Fuel tax revenue is used to fund transportation projects. Fuel tax collections in May were $196.6 million lower than the previous year when the fuel tax was in place, according to figures from the Department of Revenue.
It is the second time this year that the governor has suspended fuel taxes amid rising prices. Kemp extended a two months-long gas tax suspension for two weeks in May for the Memorial Day holiday. The governor’s office said at the time that money from the state surplus would cover the revenue shortfall.
“With a major holiday coming up and fuel prices still at high levels, I am proud to take this step to keep more money in Georgians’ pockets,” Kemp said in a statement. “Our commitment to fiscal responsibility and stewarding taxpayer dollars has allowed us to act when needed, whether by suspending the gas tax or returning billions to taxpayers through income tax refunds and property tax relief.”
The cut comes as road-building costs continue to rise.
Asphalt resurfacing costs rose 42% from calendar year 2020 to 2025. Interstate asphalt resurfacing costs are up 62%, Walt Taylor, a civil engineer for the Georgia Department of Transportation, told the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Transportation Infrastructure and Vehicle Regulation in August.
The cost of concrete drainage stormpipes increased by 127% from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2026, while the cost of inlet structures increased by 196%, Taylor said.
