Typical commuter
12,000 mi · 25 MPG · 480 gal
$198.00
+ $88.80 federal
All states
Jan. 1 2026Rank #10
Jan. 1 2026Rank #10North Carolina Gas Tax 2026
41¢/gal excise + 0.25¢/gal fees = 41.25¢/gal state (59.75¢/gal with federal).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
41.25¢/gal
State total
59.75¢/gal
Combined
$198.00
Annual state tax
#10
National rank
North Carolina gasoline tax breakdown
Excise tax
41¢/gal
Other fees
0.25¢/gal
State total
41.25¢/gal
Combined w/ federal
59.75¢/gal
North Carolina's 41.25¢/gal state total ranks #10 nationally and exceeds the 33.25¢/gal US average. Federal tax adds 18.5¢/gal everywhere.
Estimated annual gasoline tax in North Carolina
State tax only (federal shown separately). Gallons = miles ÷ MPG.
Higher mileage
15,000 mi · 25 MPG · 600 gal
$247.50
+ $111.00 federal
30 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 30 MPG · 400 gal
$165.00
+ $74.00 federal
20 MPG vehicle
12,000 mi · 20 MPG · 600 gal
$247.50
+ $111.00 federal
Default headline: $198.00 state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons).
Key takeaways — North Carolina gas tax
- North Carolina total state gasoline tax is 41.25¢/gal (41¢/gal excise + 0.25¢/gal other fees) in 2026.
- Combined with federal 18.5¢/gal, the tax component is about 59.75¢/gal per gallon.
- National rank #10 (#1 = highest). That is 8¢/gal above the 33.25¢/gal US average state tax.
- At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG, state tax is about $198.00 and combined federal+state about $286.80.
- Bordering jurisdictions range from 27.4¢/gal to 41.6¢/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.
North Carolina vs neighboring states
Total state gasoline tax for jurisdictions that share a border with North Carolina. North Carolina is 41.25¢/gal (rank #10).
| State | State total | vs NC | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 41.25¢/gal | — | This page |
 Virginia | 41.6¢/gal | +0.35¢/gal | vs NC |
 Georgia | 34.05¢/gal | -7.2¢/gal | vs NC |
 South Carolina | 28.75¢/gal | -12.5¢/gal | vs NC |
 Tennessee | 27.4¢/gal | -13.85¢/gal | vs NC |
*Annual state tax at 12,000 miles and 25 MPG. Federal tax excluded from the delta column.
North Carolina tax on a typical fill-up
Tax dollars already included in the pump price at 41.25¢/gal state + federal.
10-gallon fill-up
$4.13
state · $5.98 w/ federal
15-gallon fill-up
$6.19
state · $8.96 w/ federal
20-gallon fill-up
$8.25
state · $11.95 w/ federal
How to read this page
North Carolina gas tax overview (2026)
North Carolina charges a total statewide gasoline tax of 41.25¢/gal as of January 1, 2026, per Tax Foundation Table 22. That breaks down to 41¢/gal in excise and 0.25¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
Add the federal 18.5¢/gal for a combined tax component of 59.75¢/gal. Wholesale crude, refining, and station margins still make up most of the retail price.
Rank #10 places North Carolina 8¢/gal above the 33.25¢/gal average across all 51 jurisdictions in this dataset.
What drivers in North Carolina pay over a year
Using 12,000 miles at 25 MPG (480 gallons), state gasoline tax alone is about $198.00. Federal tax on the same gallons is about $88.80.
A 15-gallon fill-up carries roughly $6.19 in state tax ($8.96 including federal)—before any local add-ons.
If you often cross into Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, compare those rates before assuming North Carolina is always the cheapest fill.
Planning fuel costs in North Carolina
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 North Carolina gas tax page helps
Useful if…
- •Residents of North Carolina estimating how much of each fill-up is tax.
- •Commuters weighing North Carolina 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.
North Carolina gas tax checklist
Quick steps before treating the statewide average as your exact pump tax.
- 1Confirm North Carolina's 41.25¢/gal state total and rank #10.
- 2Add federal 18.5¢/gal for a 59.75¢/gal combined tax component.
- 3Estimate annual cost with your miles ÷ MPG × rate.
- 4Ask whether local fuel taxes apply at your usual stations.
- 5Compare North Carolina 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
Rhode Island
Florida
Oregon
Utah
OhioCompare North Carolina with another state
Compare any two states
State gasoline tax rates with annual driving-cost estimates.
North Carolina gasoline tax FAQs
North Carolina's total state gasoline tax is 41.25¢/gal in 2026: 41¢/gal excise plus 0.25¢/gal in other per-gallon fees.
59.75¢/gal per gallon (41.25¢/gal state + 18.5¢/gal federal).
At 12,000 miles and 25 MPG (480 gallons), state tax is about $198.00 and federal tax about $88.80, for $286.80 combined.
North Carolina ranks #10 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. North Carolina may use a different diesel excise or fee schedule than the gasoline total shown here.
North Carolina's 41.25¢/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 $6.19 in state tax and $8.96 including federal 18.5¢/gal—already in the pump price.
Nearby state totals: Virginia 41.6¢/gal (+0.35¢/gal vs NC); Georgia 34.05¢/gal (-7.2¢/gal vs NC); South Carolina 28.75¢/gal (-12.5¢/gal vs NC); Tennessee 27.4¢/gal (-13.85¢/gal vs NC). 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.