Typical commuter
12,000 mi · 25 MPG · 480 gal
$171.36
+ $88.80 federal
All states
Jan. 1 2026Rank #16
District of Columbia Gas Tax 2026
23.5¢/gal excise + 12.2¢/gal fees = 35.7¢/gal state (54.2¢/gal with federal).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
35.7¢/gal
State total
54.2¢/gal
Combined
$171.36
Annual state tax
#16
National rank
District of Columbia gasoline tax breakdown
Excise tax
23.5¢/gal
Other fees
12.2¢/gal
State total
35.7¢/gal
Combined w/ federal
54.2¢/gal
District of Columbia's 35.7¢/gal state total ranks #16 nationally and exceeds the 33.25¢/gal US average. Federal tax adds 18.5¢/gal everywhere.
Estimated annual gasoline tax in District of Columbia
State tax only (federal shown separately). Gallons = miles ÷ MPG.
Higher mileage
15,000 mi · 25 MPG · 600 gal
$214.20
+ $111.00 federal
30 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 30 MPG · 400 gal
$142.80
+ $74.00 federal
20 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 20 MPG · 600 gal
$214.20
+ $111.00 federal
Default headline: $171.36 state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons).
Key takeaways — District of Columbia gas tax
- District of Columbia total state gasoline tax is 35.7¢/gal (23.5¢/gal excise + 12.2¢/gal other fees) in 2026.
- Combined with federal 18.5¢/gal, the tax component is about 54.2¢/gal per gallon.
- National rank #16 (#1 = highest). That is 2.45¢/gal above the 33.25¢/gal US average state tax.
- At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG, state tax is about $171.36 and combined federal+state about $260.16.
- Bordering jurisdictions range from 41.6¢/gal to 46.21¢/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.
District of Columbia vs neighboring states
Total state gasoline tax for jurisdictions that share a border with District of Columbia. District of Columbia is 35.7¢/gal (rank #16).
| State | State total | vs DC | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 35.7¢/gal | — | This page |
 Maryland | 46.21¢/gal | +10.51¢/gal | vs DC |
 Virginia | 41.6¢/gal | +5.9¢/gal | vs DC |
*Annual state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG. Federal tax excluded from the delta column.
District of Columbia tax on a typical fill-up
Tax dollars already included in the pump price at 35.7¢/gal state + federal.
10-gallon fill-up
$3.57
state · $5.42 w/ federal
15-gallon fill-up
$5.36
state · $8.13 w/ federal
20-gallon fill-up
$7.14
state · $10.84 w/ federal
How to read this page
District of Columbia gas tax overview (2026)
District of Columbia charges a total statewide gasoline tax of 35.7¢/gal as of January 1, 2026, per Tax Foundation Table 22. That breaks down to 23.5¢/gal in excise and 12.2¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
Add the federal 18.5¢/gal for a combined tax component of 54.2¢/gal. Wholesale crude, refining, and station margins still make up most of the retail price.
Rank #16 places District of Columbia 2.45¢/gal above the 33.25¢/gal average across all 51 jurisdictions in this dataset.
What drivers in District of Columbia pay over a year
Using 12,000 miles at 25 MPG (480 gallons), state gasoline tax alone is about $171.36. Federal tax on the same gallons is about $88.80.
A 15-gallon fill-up carries roughly $5.36 in state tax ($8.13 including federal)—before any local add-ons.
If you often cross into Maryland, Virginia, compare those rates before assuming District of Columbia is always the cheapest fill.
Planning fuel costs in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia gas tax page helps
Useful if…
- •Residents of District of Columbia estimating how much of each fill-up is tax.
- •Commuters weighing District of Columbia 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.
District of Columbia gas tax checklist
Quick steps before treating the statewide average as your exact pump tax.
- 1Confirm District of Columbia's 35.7¢/gal state total and rank #16.
- 2Add federal 18.5¢/gal for a 54.2¢/gal combined tax component.
- 3Estimate annual cost with your miles ÷ MPG × rate.
- 4Ask whether local fuel taxes apply at your usual stations.
- 5Compare District of Columbia 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
West Virginia
Georgia
Montana
Idaho
Ohio
WisconsinCompare District of Columbia with another state
Compare any two states
State gasoline tax rates with annual driving-cost estimates.
District of Columbia gasoline tax FAQs
District of Columbia's total state gasoline tax is 35.7¢/gal in 2026: 23.5¢/gal excise plus 12.2¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
54.2¢/gal per gallon (35.7¢/gal state + 18.5¢/gal federal).
At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons), state tax is about $171.36 and federal tax about $88.80, for $260.16 combined.
Washington, DC's total of 35.7¢/gal would rank #16 if included with the states. Tax Foundation reports DC separately so it does not change the 50-state order.
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. District of Columbia may use a different diesel excise or fee schedule than the gasoline total shown here.
District of Columbia's 35.7¢/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 $5.36 in state tax and $8.13 including federal 18.5¢/gal—already in the pump price.
Nearby state totals: Maryland 46.21¢/gal (+10.51¢/gal vs DC); Virginia 41.6¢/gal (+5.9¢/gal vs DC). 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.