Typical commuter
12,000 mi · 25 MPG · 480 gal
$144.00
+ $88.80 federal
All states
Jan. 1 2026Rank #27
Jan. 1 2026Rank #27Iowa Gas Tax 2026
30¢/gal excise + 0¢/gal fees = 30¢/gal state (48.5¢/gal with federal).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
30¢/gal
State total
48.5¢/gal
Combined
$144.00
Annual state tax
#27
National rank
Iowa gasoline tax breakdown
Excise tax
30¢/gal
Other fees
0¢/gal
State total
30¢/gal
Combined w/ federal
48.5¢/gal
Iowa's 30¢/gal state total ranks #27 nationally and is below the 33.25¢/gal US average. Federal tax adds 18.5¢/gal everywhere.
Estimated annual gasoline tax in Iowa
State tax only (federal shown separately). Gallons = miles ÷ MPG.
Higher mileage
15,000 mi · 25 MPG · 600 gal
$180.00
+ $111.00 federal
30 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 30 MPG · 400 gal
$120.00
+ $74.00 federal
20 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 20 MPG · 600 gal
$180.00
+ $111.00 federal
Default headline: $144.00 state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons).
Key takeaways — Iowa gas tax
- Iowa total state gasoline tax is 30¢/gal (30¢/gal excise + 0¢/gal other fees) in 2026.
- Combined with federal 18.5¢/gal, the tax component is about 48.5¢/gal per gallon.
- National rank #27 (#1 = highest). That is 3.25¢/gal below the 33.25¢/gal US average state tax.
- At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG, state tax is about $144.00 and combined federal+state about $232.80.
- Bordering jurisdictions range from 29.99¢/gal to 66.4¢/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.
Iowa vs neighboring states
Total state gasoline tax for jurisdictions that share a border with Iowa. Iowa is 30¢/gal (rank #27).
| State | State total | vs IA | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 30¢/gal | — | This page |
 Illinois | 66.4¢/gal | +36.4¢/gal | vs IA |
 Wisconsin | 32.9¢/gal | +2.9¢/gal | vs IA |
 Minnesota | 32.7¢/gal | +2.7¢/gal | vs IA |
 Nebraska | 32.7¢/gal | +2.7¢/gal | vs IA |
 South Dakota | 30¢/gal | 0¢/gal | vs IA |
 Missouri | 29.99¢/gal | -0.01¢/gal | vs IA |
*Annual state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG. Federal tax excluded from the delta column.
Iowa tax on a typical fill-up
Tax dollars already included in the pump price at 30¢/gal state + federal.
10-gallon fill-up
$3.00
state · $4.85 w/ federal
15-gallon fill-up
$4.50
state · $7.28 w/ federal
20-gallon fill-up
$6.00
state · $9.70 w/ federal
How to read this page
Iowa gas tax overview (2026)
Iowa charges a total statewide gasoline tax of 30¢/gal as of January 1, 2026, per Tax Foundation Table 22. That breaks down to 30¢/gal in excise and 0¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
Add the federal 18.5¢/gal for a combined tax component of 48.5¢/gal. Wholesale crude, refining, and station margins still make up most of the retail price.
Rank #27 places Iowa 3.25¢/gal below the 33.25¢/gal average across all 51 jurisdictions in this dataset.
What drivers in Iowa pay over a year
Using 12,000 miles at 25 MPG (480 gallons), state gasoline tax alone is about $144.00. Federal tax on the same gallons is about $88.80.
A 15-gallon fill-up carries roughly $4.50 in state tax ($7.28 including federal)—before any local add-ons.
If you often cross into Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, compare those rates before assuming Iowa is always the cheapest fill.
Planning fuel costs in Iowa
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 Iowa gas tax page helps
Useful if…
- •Residents of Iowa estimating how much of each fill-up is tax.
- •Commuters weighing Iowa 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.
Iowa gas tax checklist
Quick steps before treating the statewide average as your exact pump tax.
- 1Confirm Iowa's 30¢/gal state total and rank #27.
- 2Add federal 18.5¢/gal for a 48.5¢/gal combined tax component.
- 3Estimate annual cost with your miles ÷ MPG × rate.
- 4Ask whether local fuel taxes apply at your usual stations.
- 5Compare Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 30¢/gal | #26 | $144.00 |
| Missouri | 29.99¢/gal | #28 | $143.95 |
 Colorado | 29.18¢/gal | #29 | $140.06 |
 Alabama | 31¢/gal | #25 | $148.80 |
 South Carolina | 28.75¢/gal | #30 | $138.00 |
 Maine | 31.45¢/gal | #24 | $150.96 |
Compare Iowa with another state
Compare any two states
State gasoline tax rates with annual driving-cost estimates.
Iowa gasoline tax FAQs
Iowa's total state gasoline tax is 30¢/gal in 2026: 30¢/gal excise plus 0¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
48.5¢/gal per gallon (30¢/gal state + 18.5¢/gal federal).
At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons), state tax is about $144.00 and federal tax about $88.80, for $232.80 combined.
Iowa ranks #27 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. Iowa may use a different diesel excise or fee schedule than the gasoline total shown here.
Iowa's 30¢/gal is below 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 $4.50 in state tax and $7.28 including federal 18.5¢/gal—already in the pump price.
Nearby state totals: Illinois 66.4¢/gal (+36.4¢/gal vs IA); Wisconsin 32.9¢/gal (+2.9¢/gal vs IA); Minnesota 32.7¢/gal (+2.7¢/gal vs IA); Nebraska 32.7¢/gal (+2.7¢/gal vs IA); South Dakota 30¢/gal (0¢/gal vs IA); Missouri 29.99¢/gal (-0.01¢/gal vs IA). 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.