Pennsylvania gas tax expected to rise in 2023

Pennsylvania’s gas tax is among the highest in the nation and will rise again in the new year, according to PennDOT.

PennDOT said there was a trigger in a 2013 state law, prompting a few-cent rise.

Mechanicsburg’s Ismael Djariri said his petrol bill hasn’t risen as much as it used to. He worries that a gas tax hike could further tighten the budget.

“We used to pay $20 for a week, now we only pay two days,” says Djariri.

PennDOT said Pennsylvania’s gas tax will increase from just under 58 cents per gallon to more than 61 cents per gallon.

Diesel tax will increase from 74 cents or more to 78.5 cents per gallon.

Drivers are already paying over 18 cents per gallon in federal gas taxes.

“The tax goes directly to the wholesaler, but of course the cost is passed on to the consumer,” said Rebecca Euler of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.

Euler said higher costs for shipping companies could mean higher prices for the items people buy in stores. These products may already be more expensive due to inflation.

“Whether it’s food or gasoline,” said Euler.

Elected Republicans in the legislature have already proposed ways to deal with the automatic hike, saying consumers can’t afford the first gasoline tax hike in nearly a decade.

“It’s cold, but maybe I should buy a bike. It might save me more than having a car now,” Jalili said.

One of the key issues is that Pennsylvania’s gas tax contributes significantly to road and bridge projects statewide.

Related video below: Is Pennsylvania’s gas tax going where it should?