Typical commuter
12,000 mi · 25 MPG · 480 gal
$126.72
+ $88.80 federal
All states
Jan. 1 2026Rank #33
Jan. 1 2026Rank #33Kentucky Gas Tax 2026
25¢/gal excise + 1.4¢/gal fees = 26.4¢/gal state (44.9¢/gal with federal).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
26.4¢/gal
State total
44.9¢/gal
Combined
$126.72
Annual state tax
#33
National rank
Kentucky gasoline tax breakdown
Excise tax
25¢/gal
Other fees
1.4¢/gal
State total
26.4¢/gal
Combined w/ federal
44.9¢/gal
Kentucky's 26.4¢/gal state total ranks #33 nationally and is below the 33.25¢/gal US average. Federal tax adds 18.5¢/gal everywhere.
Estimated annual gasoline tax in Kentucky
State tax only (federal shown separately). Gallons = miles ÷ MPG.
Higher mileage
15,000 mi · 25 MPG · 600 gal
$158.40
+ $111.00 federal
30 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 30 MPG · 400 gal
$105.60
+ $74.00 federal
20 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 20 MPG · 600 gal
$158.40
+ $111.00 federal
Default headline: $126.72 state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons).
Key takeaways — Kentucky gas tax
- Kentucky total state gasoline tax is 26.4¢/gal (25¢/gal excise + 1.4¢/gal other fees) in 2026.
- Combined with federal 18.5¢/gal, the tax component is about 44.9¢/gal per gallon.
- National rank #33 (#1 = highest). That is 6.85¢/gal below the 33.25¢/gal US average state tax.
- At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG, state tax is about $126.72 and combined federal+state about $215.52.
- Bordering jurisdictions range from 27.4¢/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.
Kentucky vs neighboring states
Total state gasoline tax for jurisdictions that share a border with Kentucky. Kentucky is 26.4¢/gal (rank #33).
| State | State total | vs KY | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 26.4¢/gal | — | This page |
 Illinois | 66.4¢/gal | +40¢/gal | vs KY |
 Indiana | 52.4¢/gal | +26¢/gal | vs KY |
 Virginia | 41.6¢/gal | +15.2¢/gal | vs KY |
 Ohio | 38.5¢/gal | +12.1¢/gal | vs KY |
 West Virginia | 35.7¢/gal | +9.3¢/gal | vs KY |
 Missouri | 29.99¢/gal | +3.59¢/gal | vs KY |
 Tennessee | 27.4¢/gal | +1¢/gal | vs KY |
*Annual state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG. Federal tax excluded from the delta column.
Kentucky tax on a typical fill-up
Tax dollars already included in the pump price at 26.4¢/gal state + federal.
10-gallon fill-up
$2.64
state · $4.49 w/ federal
15-gallon fill-up
$3.96
state · $6.74 w/ federal
20-gallon fill-up
$5.28
state · $8.98 w/ federal
How to read this page
Kentucky gas tax overview (2026)
Kentucky charges a total statewide gasoline tax of 26.4¢/gal as of January 1, 2026, per Tax Foundation Table 22. That breaks down to 25¢/gal in excise and 1.4¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
Add the federal 18.5¢/gal for a combined tax component of 44.9¢/gal. Wholesale crude, refining, and station margins still make up most of the retail price.
Rank #33 places Kentucky 6.85¢/gal below the 33.25¢/gal average across all 51 jurisdictions in this dataset.
What drivers in Kentucky pay over a year
Using 12,000 miles at 25 MPG (480 gallons), state gasoline tax alone is about $126.72. Federal tax on the same gallons is about $88.80.
A 15-gallon fill-up carries roughly $3.96 in state tax ($6.74 including federal)—before any local add-ons.
If you often cross into Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, compare those rates before assuming Kentucky is always the cheapest fill.
Planning fuel costs in Kentucky
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 Kentucky gas tax page helps
Useful if…
- •Residents of Kentucky estimating how much of each fill-up is tax.
- •Commuters weighing Kentucky 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.
Kentucky gas tax checklist
Quick steps before treating the statewide average as your exact pump tax.
- 1Confirm Kentucky's 26.4¢/gal state total and rank #33.
- 2Add federal 18.5¢/gal for a 44.9¢/gal combined tax component.
- 3Estimate annual cost with your miles ÷ MPG × rate.
- 4Ask whether local fuel taxes apply at your usual stations.
- 5Compare Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 27.4¢/gal | #32 | $131.52 |
 Massachusetts | 27.56¢/gal | #31 | $132.29 |
 Kansas | 25.03¢/gal | #34 | $120.14 |
 Arkansas | 25¢/gal | #35 | $120.00 |
 Connecticut | 25¢/gal | #35 | $120.00 |
 New York | 24.18¢/gal | #37 | $116.06 |
Compare Kentucky with another state
Compare any two states
State gasoline tax rates with annual driving-cost estimates.
Kentucky gasoline tax FAQs
Kentucky's total state gasoline tax is 26.4¢/gal in 2026: 25¢/gal excise plus 1.4¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
44.9¢/gal per gallon (26.4¢/gal state + 18.5¢/gal federal).
At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons), state tax is about $126.72 and federal tax about $88.80, for $215.52 combined.
Kentucky ranks #33 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. Kentucky may use a different diesel excise or fee schedule than the gasoline total shown here.
Kentucky's 26.4¢/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 $3.96 in state tax and $6.74 including federal 18.5¢/gal—already in the pump price.
Nearby state totals: Illinois 66.4¢/gal (+40¢/gal vs KY); Indiana 52.4¢/gal (+26¢/gal vs KY); Virginia 41.6¢/gal (+15.2¢/gal vs KY); Ohio 38.5¢/gal (+12.1¢/gal vs KY); West Virginia 35.7¢/gal (+9.3¢/gal vs KY); Missouri 29.99¢/gal (+3.59¢/gal vs KY); Tennessee 27.4¢/gal (+1¢/gal vs KY). 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.