Georgia Gas Tax Returns Wednesday, Adding 33 Cents Per Gallon
Georgia drivers will face a 33-cent per gallon price increase Wednesday as the state’s gas tax returns after being suspended since March.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Georgia motorists will pay roughly 33 cents more per gallon at the pump starting Wednesday as the state’s gas tax suspension expires after a two-and-a-half-month hiatus.
Governor Brian Kemp initially suspended the gas tax for six days in March as gas prices climbed due to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. He extended the suspension in May for two additional weeks, citing Memorial Day travel that would likely drive prices higher.
With the holiday weekend over and oil prices remaining relatively stable, Kemp announced he would allow the suspension to end. “The state also keeps a financial eye toward any unexpected needs in the future,” Kemp Press Secretary Carter Chapman said in a statement.
Impact on Georgia Drivers
Georgia’s average gas price stood at $3.80 per gallon on Tuesday, slightly below last month’s $3.83 average, according to AAA data. The return of the tax will push that price to approximately $4.13 per gallon.
For Georgia drivers, the increase means filling a typical 15-gallon tank will cost $61.95 instead of the current $57. Nationally, gas prices averaged $4.29 on Tuesday, down from May’s $4.43 average.
Residents Feel Financial Pressure
The rising fuel costs are adding strain to household budgets already stretched by other expenses. James Smith, a supply coordinator for Emory Healthcare, said his family has reduced vacation and travel spending because of higher costs.
“It’s not only just gas prices, you’ve got rising property taxes, you’ve got grocery bills that have gone up substantially,” Smith said. “It’s troubling, because as of right now, I feel like our government doesn’t care about the American people.”
Smith noted that rising oil prices have eliminated any savings from the gas tax suspension, arguing that government officials need to take stronger action to address affordability challenges facing everyday citizens.
The gas tax suspension provided temporary relief during a period of elevated fuel costs linked to international conflicts and seasonal travel patterns. State officials indicated they will continue monitoring economic conditions and energy prices for potential future interventions.
