Fill up now: Georgia gas tax break ends Tuesday
Georgia drivers lose 33 cent tax break
Georgia drivers will face higher prices at the pump by Wednesday after Governor Brian Kemp declined to extend the state's temporary gas tax suspension, according to a spokesperson for the governor's office.
ATLANTA - Georgia drivers may want to top off their tanks before Tuesday night as the state's temporary suspension of motor fuel taxes is scheduled to expire June 2, and Gov. Brian Kemp will not be extending the tax break.
What they're saying:
A spokesperson for the governor's office said Kemp plans to let the suspension expire while keeping an eye on "unexpected" future needs.
"After renewing the suspension of the state gas tax to help hardworking Georgians get through the Memorial Day weekend with further relief, and with oil prices now holding relatively steady, the gas tax suspension will expire at 11:59 pm tomorrow, while the state also keeps a financial eye toward any unexpected needs in the future," the spokesperson said.
What we know:
Kemp signed an executive order last month extending the suspension through 11:59 p.m. June 2, citing the continued impact of fuel prices on Georgia families and businesses. The suspension saves drivers about 33 cents per gallon by temporarily eliminating the state's motor fuel excise tax.
As of Monday morning, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Georgia was $3.79, according to GasBuddy. Prices were unchanged from the previous day, down 13.9 cents from a week ago and down 1.9 cents from a month ago. However, prices remain 96.3 cents higher than they were a year ago.
In metro Atlanta, the average price stood at $3.85 per gallon Monday morning. That was unchanged from Sunday, down 14.3 cents from last week and down 2.9 cents from last month, but still 97.5 cents higher than a year ago.
Dig deeper:
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is about $4.32, significantly higher than Georgia's average price, largely because of the state's fuel tax suspension.
The tax break has become a familiar tool in Georgia during periods of elevated fuel prices. State officials estimate the suspension saves drivers about $14 per month on average. However, it also costs the state roughly $200 million each month in transportation funding that would otherwise support road and infrastructure projects.
AAA also warns that rising fuel costs often cause drivers to wait longer between fill-ups.
Automotive experts say that strategy can increase the risk of fuel pump damage, potentially leading to costly repairs. Instead, they recommend refilling when a vehicle reaches about one-quarter of a tank.
In this photo illustration, a gas pump is filling up a vehicle at a Chevron gas station on December 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Local perspective:
Some drivers are exploring alternatives to driving altogether due to the strain on their pockets. Atlanta driver Lily Kachmar noted the impact is definitely tough and said she is "definitely looking into other options like MARTA for day-to-day activities."
For drivers who spend hours on the road each day, the cost of fuel remains a major concern. "Being that I DoorDash, I get paid daily. So even if I'm still spending money on gas, probably like in a week, at least $200 to $300," food delivery driver Lady T said, adding that filling her tank continues to strain her budget.
Other drivers say the rising costs have already forced them to rethink how often they get behind the wheel. "We keep all of our traffic right here, aside from that, it's just to and from work," driver Jason Rawson said, calling the temporary tax suspension a "temporary band-aid fix."
What's next:
For now, drivers looking to maximize their savings may want to fill up before the current gas tax suspension expires Tuesday night. An exact timeline of when prices will increase at the pump is unknown and will most likely depend on the supplier and gas station.