What a Gas Tax Suspension Would Mean for Consumers, Companies and US Highways​

Ajouté : 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]Right now, gas is over $4.00 a gallon, and Congress thinks a gas tax holiday could help. But, will it actually save money for consumers? Since tensions in the Middle East have ramped up, gas prices have climbed, now averaging about 450 a gallon, roughly 40% higher than last year. Congress is proposing a federal gas tax holiday to fix the problem, basically hitting pause in the federal tax for gasoline and possibly diesel, too. For drivers, that could mean saving about 18 cents per gallon.

[00:00:26]Helpful, but not huge. Where it gets bigger is with diesel. If diesel was included in a federal gas tax holiday, trucking firms could save big, and that could ripple through to lower costs for consumers as shipping gets cheaper.

[00:00:37]There are two main bills on the table.

[00:00:39]The Republican proposal includes diesel and gives President Trump the option to extend the gas tax holiday by another 90 days if needed. While the Democratic proposal requires the Treasury Department to make sure those savings actually reach consumers. But, there's a catch. That gas tax actually funds highways. About 85% of the Highway Trust Fund comes from taxes. Associations representing trucking firms and gas stations say they support efforts to lower costs for consumers unless it means neglecting the highways. So, while you may save a little bit at the pump, lawmakers still have to figure out how to fill that funding gap.