Alaskans visiting Washington state will find gas prices shockingly high, as that state is nearing $1 a gallon gas tax.
Starting July 1, Washington’s gas tax climbs once again — for the 21st time. The new hike brings Washington’s base gas tax to 55.4 cents per gallon, plus the estimated 40 cents per gallon from the state’s Climate Commitment Act, a carbon pricing program passed in 2021. That totals an eye-watering 95.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and over $1.01 per gallon for diesel.
Before that hike goes into effect, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Washington state is approximately $4.45, significantly higher than the national average of $3.21 per gallon, and higher than what Anchorage drivers typically pay, which is $3.56 a gallon.
This latest increase in Washington state stems from a 2025 legislative package that included a 6-cent hike in the state’s gas tax. Though the tax itself is nothing new — it’s been around since 1921, when a gallon of gas was taxed at just one penny — the economic context has changed drastically. So has the way Washington residents get around, with a rising number of drivers switching to electric vehicles, which don’t pay gas taxes at all, shifting the tax burden to the poor. The new legislation will now adjust it upward for inflation every year.
Washington leans on its gas tax to fund infrastructure, roads, ferries, and transit projects. In recent years, however, the landscape has shifted. As EV adoption grows and fuel efficiency improves, traditional gas tax revenues are becoming less reliable. There are more than 180,000 electric cars on the roads now in Washington state — still a small fraction of the vehicles, but growing.
To compensate, lawmakers added revenue from the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which operates under a cap-and-invest model — essentially a carbon pricing system that auctioned off emission allowances. The proceeds act as an indirect tax on fuel consumption, and in 2025, it’s estimated to add roughly 40 cents per gallon to fuel costs. Washington’s total tax burden at the pump is among the highest in the country, exceeding $1.10 per gallon for gasoline.
To compare, the gas tax in Alaska is 8.95 cents per gallon for gasoline and diesel, which is the lowest in the United States. This rate includes state excise taxes and related fees paid at the pump.
In addition to the state tax in Washington, motorists in all states pay s a federal excise tax of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel.
Based on fuel consumption data from the US Energy Information Administration, in 2022 Washington state used approximately 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline and 0.6 billion gallons of diesel.
This brings is more than $2.991 billion annually to the state.
As the state tax approaches the $1-per-gallon mark, it places an a larger burden on rural communities, lower-income drivers, and those who can’t afford to transition to electric vehicles.
And tomorrow, that gets just a little heavier for those in Washington state who do not drive electric cars.
Sitting here in Idaho, every time we drive over the line to Spokane the gas price difference is shocking. I cannot figure out why these people in Washington vote for this kind of thing. But lately there seem to be a ton of Washington State vehicles lingering on this side of the line. Getting crowded though.
I’m not concerned about Washington. I am concerned about Alaska and our prices which are so gross and unreasonable.
Another reason not to visit Washington state
Their Senator, Patty Murray, is an enemy of Alaska.
But, she’s very smart like our Lisa though and has a High School diploma!
Do you think that Washingtonians would revolt if they really knew how Olympia was sticking it to them? The folks east of the Cascades cannot stand all this leftist tax raising and socialist policies, but the West Coasters outnumber them four to one. When will the breaking point occur?
WA gas tax hikes should be expected every year – after all, conservatives should expect to pay for all of the free narcotics and needle exchange programs which eventually will extend into K-8 government groomer school rooms
“Climate Commitment Act” – Nothing more than fraud against the taxpayer. A do-nothing tax.
Taxes are for services rendered , roads schools airports and ports. Climate commitment tax where exactly is this money going.?? It’s a pile of it too.
The entire Left Coast is a festering cesspool of statist insanity and radical leftist wokeism run amok. The NPCs living there deserve every bad thing that they are inflicting on themselves by regularly voting for death cult communists.
Yes! We actually pay our own way down here – not depend on oil income largesse and Federal subsidies like those “independent”, “self-reliant” Alaskans.
To think that the government of WA doesn’t rely on income derived from oil or Federal subsidies is beyond ignorant.
Oh you Washingtoian Logan Act Thieves? You know the thieves who make alaskans goods so expensive. Wonder how much of Washington’s economy is based upon that. Or how about the Seattle based Alaskan crab fleet? Maybe they should be paying Alaska some taxes and require Alaskan crew of 75%.
Not Logan, Jones!!
That’s Jones Act, not Logan, which involves unauthorized foreign diplomacy by elected officials. Jones Act was inflicted on us by the WA state shipping interests, along with the mariners unions
From each according to his ability (to pay), to the state according to its (insatiable) needs.
Forward Soviet!
So you’re not even in Alaska? What is your motive for making constant leftie posts on this site? Do you think you’re going to win some converts to your side politically? Fat chance! It appears that you are just an agitator and probably get your jollies from reading everyone’s posts. But being an agitator seems to be what Democrats are VERY good at doing. Not surprised you live in Washington.
I’m a 35 year Alaskan and still have significant financial interests in the State, but have had to move out for family care reasons. Alaska is also where I will be buried someday. And my heart is still there, everyday. So I think I have standing. Thanks.
Let’s hope that day is soon,back under your bridge,Troll!!!,
And just like Trump demonstrated today with his comments, your hatred of people who differ with you is on full and resplendent display. There’s those Christian MAGA values at work!
Personally, I hope that you, Chuck Clarke, live a long, happy, and prosperous life.
To compare, the gas tax in Alaska is 8.95 cents per gallon for gasoline and diesel, which is the lowest in the United States. This rate includes state excise taxes and related fees paid at the pump.
Let’s not forget the additional 10 cent gasoline/diesel tax placed on Municipality of Anchorage drivers. Authorization: The Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) Chapter 12.55 authorizes the collection of this excise tax. Tax Rate: The initial rate was set at $0.10 per gallon. Effective Date: The tax went into effect on March 1, 2018.
Purpose: The tax was intended to diversify municipal tax revenues and provide tax relief to property owners, according to the Municipality of Anchorage. REALITY: Under property tax, homeowners will be paying about $130 less in property tax compared to last year. November 2017: A new gas tax was passed, 10-cents-per-gallon proposed by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz to help fund city services.
Washington State peons, that can’t afford an electric car, are supposed to take the bus or walk, as the Politburo whizzes by …… like in mother Moscow.
We do have a very nice and ever-expanding public transport system. And in some places it’s free.