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Tax Foundation · Aug 28, 2026

Gas tax in North Carolina

41.3 cents a gallon in state taxes and fees, plus the 18.4-cent federal tax: 59.6¢ in all (Tax Foundation). That is about 17% of today's average price for regular in North Carolina (AAA, our calculation).

Gas tax
41.3¢
cents a gallon (state)
With federal 18.4¢
59.6¢
Share of today's price
17%
Rank
42 of 51
1 = lowest
StateGas taxRank
Florida40.1¢40
Rhode Island41.1¢41
North Carolina41.3¢42
Virginia42.4¢43
Maryland46.8¢44

Source: Tax Foundation, Gas Taxes by State, 2026 (State Gasoline and Diesel Tax Rates, $ per Gallon, July 2026) (Aug 28, 2026). Rates as of July 2026 (published Aug 28, 2026). Total state gasoline tax in cents per gallon (converted from the published $/gallon values, e.g. $0.3100 = 31.00): per-gallon excise plus other state taxes/fees such as wholesaler/retailer taxes, sales taxes and underground storage tank fees; per the table note it does not include some local taxes, taxes on net or gross receipts, or indirect burdens from environmental programs. Table is labeled 'July 2026' (no exact day given; 2026-07-01 assumed). Published 2026-08-28 by Adam Hoffer and Jacob Macumber-Rosin. Federal: 18.4 cents/gal = 18.3-cent excise tax + 0.1-cent Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee, per EIA FAQ https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=10&t=10 (as of January 2026). Tax Foundation publishes no national average, so avgStateCents is null.

Common questions

What is the gas tax in North Carolina?

41.3 cents a gallon in state taxes and fees, plus the 18.4-cent federal tax: 59.6¢ in all (Tax Foundation). That is about 17% of today's average price for regular in North Carolina (AAA, our calculation).

Does North Carolina have a high gas tax?

North Carolina ranks 42 of 51 (1 = lowest).

See today's pump prices in the gas prices by state table.

More for North Carolina: monthly budget · take-home pay · rent.

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