Is a gas tax holiday realistic for WA drivers?
Apr 7, 2026, 2:00 PM
Near-record high prices at a Washington gas pump. (Photo courtesy of Seattle Red)
(Photo courtesy of Seattle Red)
Washington gas prices are inching closer to the all-time record set in 2022, and at least one state has found a way to offer drivers some relief.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a 60-day gas tax holiday into law in March, which is one reason why the current statewide average is around $3.73 a gallon. Meanwhile, Washington drivers are paying a statewide average of $5.39, driven largely by some of the highest fuel taxes in the nation, according to AAA, including surcharges tied to the state’s Climate Commitment Act.
Multiple states enacted a gas tax holiday in 2022, including New York, Florida, and Connecticut. Some analysts said gas tax holidays aren’t sustainable and may not save drivers money in the long run.
Here in Washington, we’re not seeing much political will to give a gas tax holiday a try. When KIRO 7 asked Washington Governor Bob Ferguson about the concept last month, he replied, “There are lots of things being considered.”
In the meantime, fuel distributors want you to know that they aren’t making any more money off the rising cost of gas.
“Whether diesel is three bucks a gallon or seven bucks a gallon, we as distributors make the same amount of money,” Jeff Small, the general manager of Don Smalls & Sons Oil Distribution Company, said.
He told KIRO 7 that the cost of driving is also impacting their bottom line.
“We have to use diesel in our trucks to move diesel around,” Small added. “It costs us twice as much now to move the diesel around fuel-wise than it did a couple of months ago.”
Contributing: KIRO 7
