California drivers are paying even more at the pump after the state’s gasoline tax increased today. The tax rose by 2.2 cents per gallon, bringing it to 63.4 cents, the highest state gas tax in the nation. The increase is automatic and tied to the California Consumer Price Index, which adjusts the tax each year to account for inflation. The gas tax was originally enacted in 2017 as part of a transportation funding package designed to pay for road repairs, bridge improvements, and other infrastructure projects across the state. Supporters say the revenue is essential for maintaining California’s aging transportation system, while critics argue it places an additional financial burden on drivers already facing high fuel costs. According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California now stands at $5.41, well above the national average. Motorists are expected to continue feeling the impact at gas stations statewide throughout the summer.
