Gas Tax on the Rise

Gas taxes are headed up this summer in the commonwealth. On July 1st, Kentucky’s gas tax will increase 2.1 cents per gallon. 

That means motorists will be paying nearly 30 cents in state taxes for each gallon they purchase. The increase is automatic because Kentucky's tax is tied to the average cost of wholesale gas, which has been rising. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Chuck Wolfe told The Courier-Journal the increase is expected to generate about $57 million dollars next year for the state Road Fund.  The state's gas tax has increased more than 80 percent since 2003. When added to the federal tax, 18.4 cents per gallon, drivers pay a total tax of 48.3 cents for each gallon of gas purchased.