SAN DIEGO — California's gas tax goes up each year on July 1 — and 2024 is no exception. Californians and San Diegans won't be feeling relief at the pump any time soon.
According to AAA the average price of gas in San Diego is $4.84, the national average is $3.50. With both state and federal taxes added to each gallon, California residents have paid roughly $1.29 in taxes and fees per each gallon of gas throughout the year. This year's tax hike will add two cents to the price per gallon starting July 1.
A CBS 8 is Working for You to figure out how those gas taxes you pay break down.
State and federal gas taxes, fees: $1.29
- California Excise Tax costs 57.9 cents per gallon until July 1. This funds general maintenance for state highways, roads and safety projects.
- Federal Excise Tax is 18 cents. It funds freeways and mass transit projects.
- Environmental projects have 9 cents slated for low-carbon fuel standard and 31 cents for cap-and-trade to lower carbon emissions.
- Eleven cents is paid to local and state sales tax. It funds roads, public transit and lighting projects.
- Underground storage and maintenance for fuel takes two cents per gallon.
In total that equals to $1.29 in taxes, fees and climate programs per gallon.
Sources are from the California Energy Commission and the Western States Petroleum Association.
Republicans have been fighting Governor Gavin Newsom to suspend the gas tax but prior efforts have been defeated. The governor says it brings in $6.5 billion a year to help fix roads.
A spokesperson for the City of San Diego says its Fiscal Year Y25 Proposed Budget outlines two funding sources related to Gas Taxes: The Gas Tax Fund and the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Fund.
The City says it’s projected revenue from the Gas Tax Fund in FY2025 is $38,196,188 and the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Fund: $35,328,918.
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