Typical commuter
12,000 mi · 25 MPG · 480 gal
$340.42
+ $88.80 federal
All states
Jan. 1 2026Rank #1
Jan. 1 2026Rank #1California Gas Tax 2026
61.2¢/gal excise + 9.72¢/gal fees = 70.92¢/gal state (89.42¢/gal with federal).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
70.92¢/gal
State total
89.42¢/gal
Combined
$340.42
Annual state tax
#1
National rank
California gasoline tax breakdown
Excise tax
61.2¢/gal
Other fees
9.72¢/gal
State total
70.92¢/gal
Combined w/ federal
89.42¢/gal
California's 70.92¢/gal state total ranks #1 nationally and exceeds the 33.25¢/gal US average. Federal tax adds 18.5¢/gal everywhere.
Estimated annual gasoline tax in California
State tax only (federal shown separately). Gallons = miles ÷ MPG.
Higher mileage
15,000 mi · 25 MPG · 600 gal
$425.52
+ $111.00 federal
30 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 30 MPG · 400 gal
$283.68
+ $74.00 federal
20 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 20 MPG · 600 gal
$425.52
+ $111.00 federal
Default headline: $340.42 state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons).
Key takeaways — California gas tax
- California total state gasoline tax is 70.92¢/gal (61.2¢/gal excise + 9.72¢/gal other fees) in 2026.
- Combined with federal 18.5¢/gal, the tax component is about 89.42¢/gal per gallon.
- National rank #1 (#1 = highest). That is 37.67¢/gal above the 33.25¢/gal US average state tax.
- At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG, state tax is about $340.42 and combined federal+state about $429.22.
- Bordering jurisdictions range from 19¢/gal to 40¢/gal in state tax.
- Local fuel taxes and (in CA/OR/WA) LCFS or cap-and-trade costs may raise what you actually pay at the pump.
California vs neighboring states
Total state gasoline tax for jurisdictions that share a border with California. California is 70.92¢/gal (rank #1).
| State | State total | vs CA | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 70.92¢/gal | — | This page |
 Oregon | 40¢/gal | -30.92¢/gal | vs CA |
 Nevada | 23.81¢/gal | -47.11¢/gal | vs CA |
 Arizona | 19¢/gal | -51.92¢/gal | vs CA |
*Annual state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG. Federal tax excluded from the delta column.
California tax on a typical fill-up
Tax dollars already included in the pump price at 70.92¢/gal state + federal.
10-gallon fill-up
$7.09
state · $8.94 w/ federal
15-gallon fill-up
$10.64
state · $13.41 w/ federal
20-gallon fill-up
$14.18
state · $17.88 w/ federal
How to read this page
California gas tax overview (2026)
California charges a total statewide gasoline tax of 70.92¢/gal as of January 1, 2026, per Tax Foundation Table 22. That breaks down to 61.2¢/gal in excise and 9.72¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
Add the federal 18.5¢/gal for a combined tax component of 89.42¢/gal. Wholesale crude, refining, and station margins still make up most of the retail price.
Rank #1 places California 37.67¢/gal above the 33.25¢/gal average across all 51 jurisdictions in this dataset.
What drivers in California pay over a year
Using 12,000 miles at 25 MPG (480 gallons), state gasoline tax alone is about $340.42. Federal tax on the same gallons is about $88.80.
A 15-gallon fill-up carries roughly $10.64 in state tax ($13.41 including federal)—before any local add-ons.
If you often cross into Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, compare those rates before assuming California is always the cheapest fill.
Planning fuel costs in California
Track miles and MPG for a realistic gallons estimate; tax scales directly with gallons purchased.
Diesel, aviation gasoline, and dyed fuel follow different federal and often different state schedules.
For tax-deductible business miles, use the IRS standard mileage rate or actual expenses—gas tax is already embedded in fuel cost and is not a separate personal income-tax line.
Who this California gas tax page helps
Useful if…
- •Residents of California estimating how much of each fill-up is tax.
- •Commuters weighing California against a neighboring state’s pump taxes.
- •Small fleets budgeting annual fuel tax at known mileage.
- •Movers comparing offer packages that include a car commute.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an official refund, bonded fuel, or IFTA filing.
- •Your city adds a local fuel tax not in the statewide table.
- •You primarily buy diesel or alternative fuels.
- •You need a live retail price forecast rather than statutory rates.
California gas tax checklist
Quick steps before treating the statewide average as your exact pump tax.
- 1Confirm California's 70.92¢/gal state total and rank #1.
- 2Add federal 18.5¢/gal for a 89.42¢/gal combined tax component.
- 3Estimate annual cost with your miles ÷ MPG × rate.
- 4Ask whether local fuel taxes apply at your usual stations.
- 5Compare California with a peer or neighbor before relocating for fuel savings alone.
- 6Recheck rates after mid-year reindexes if your state adjusts for inflation.
States with similar gasoline tax rates
| State | State total | Rank | Annual tax |
|---|---|---|---|
 Illinois | 66.4¢/gal | #2 | $318.72 |
 Washington | 59.04¢/gal | #3 | $283.39 |
 Pennsylvania | 58.7¢/gal | #4 | $281.76 |
 Michigan | 53.4¢/gal | #5 | $256.32 |
 Indiana | 52.4¢/gal | #6 | $251.52 |
 New Jersey | 49.15¢/gal | #7 | $235.92 |
Compare California with another state
Compare any two states
State gasoline tax rates with annual driving-cost estimates.
California gasoline tax FAQs
California's total state gasoline tax is 70.92¢/gal in 2026: 61.2¢/gal excise plus 9.72¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
89.42¢/gal per gallon (70.92¢/gal state + 18.5¢/gal federal).
At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons), state tax is about $340.42 and federal tax about $88.80, for $429.22 combined.
California ranks #1 by total state gasoline tax among the 50 states, where #1 is the highest rate. Equal totals may share a rank or receive consecutive ranks in the Tax Foundation table.
This table excludes county and municipal fuel taxes. Some cities or counties add separate per-gallon levies not reflected in the statewide total.
Federal diesel tax is 24.5¢/gal. California may use a different diesel excise or fee schedule than the gasoline total shown here.
California's 70.92¢/gal is above the 33.25¢/gal average across all jurisdictions in this dataset.
Rates are statewide totals as of January 1, 2026 from Tax Foundation Table 22. Local fuel taxes, diesel-specific schedules, and implied environmental program costs (notably in CA, OR, and WA) may not be fully captured.
About $10.64 in state tax and $13.41 including federal 18.5¢/gal—already in the pump price.
Nearby state totals: Oregon 40¢/gal (-30.92¢/gal vs CA); Nevada 23.81¢/gal (-47.11¢/gal vs CA); Arizona 19¢/gal (-51.92¢/gal vs CA). Open a compare page for annual dollar gaps.
Many states periodically adjust excise rates; this page reflects Tax Foundation’s January 1, 2026 snapshot. Confirm the current statute or revenue department notice for the latest cents-per-gallon figure.
Personal commuting fuel is generally not deductible. Business or self-employed drivers usually claim the standard mileage rate or actual fuel expenses (which already include gas tax), not a separate state gas-tax credit.