State gas taxes · EIA figures for July 2026
Washington, D.C. gas tax
The 16th highest state gas tax of 51, and 1.9¢ above the state average. With the 18.4¢ federal tax, Washington, D.C. drivers pay 54.10¢ a gallon in fuel tax, about 13% of this week's price.
What makes up the tax on a gallon
| State excise tax | 23.50¢ |
|---|---|
| Other state taxes and fees | 12.20¢ |
| Federal excise tax | 18.40¢ |
| Total per gallon | 54.10¢ |
| On a 15-gallon fill | $8.12 |
| Over a typical year (480 gallons) | $260 |
| Regular gas this week | $4.193 |
From the EIA’s notes for Washington, D.C.: Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Surcharge/Local Transportation Surcharge: $0.1220/gal as of 10/1/25.
Source: EIA federal and state motor fuel taxes, July 2026. The federal rate has not changed since 1993. County and city taxes are not included, so some drivers pay a little more.
Fuel tax in Washington, D.C. and its neighbours
Washington, D.C. has the lowest fuel tax of its neighbours. Drivers coming in from Maryland pay 11.1¢ a gallon less in state tax here, $1.67 on a 15-gallon fill.
Where Washington, D.C. sits in the ranking
| 14. Utah | 38.55¢ |
|---|---|
| 15. Ohio | 38.50¢ |
| 16. Washington, D.C. | 35.70¢ |
| 17. West Virginia | 35.70¢ |
| 18. Georgia | 34.05¢ |
Ranked by total state tax per gallon, highest first. See all 51 ranked.
What this means for your driving
Tax is a fixed number of cents on every gallon, so the less fuel you burn, the less of it you pay. A car that gets 30 mpg pays $216 a year in fuel tax over 12,000 miles in Washington, D.C.; a pickup at 19 mpg pays $342.
Work out a trip or a year of driving with the Washington, D.C. fuel cost calculator, or see Washington, D.C. gas prices this week.
Washington, D.C. gas tax questions
- What is the gas tax in Washington, D.C.?
- Washington, D.C. charges 35.70¢ per gallon of gasoline in state tax: 23.50¢ of excise tax plus 12.20¢ in other per-gallon taxes and fees, according to the EIA's table updated July 2026. Add the 18.4¢ federal tax and drivers pay 54.10¢ a gallon in fuel tax.
- How does Washington, D.C.'s gas tax compare with other states?
- It is the 16th highest of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.), and 1.9¢ a gallon above the average state tax of 33.8¢.
- How much gas tax does a Washington, D.C. driver pay in a year?
- About $260 in state and federal fuel tax for a typical year of 480 gallons (roughly 12,000 miles at 25 mpg), of which $171 goes to the state. A 15-gallon fill carries $8.12 of tax.
- Is gas tax included in the price at the pump?
- Yes. Federal and state per-gallon fuel taxes are built into the price posted on the sign; they are not added at the register. That is why tax differences between neighbouring states show up directly in pump prices.