Suspending Gas Taxes – Here’s How Much Louisiana Drivers Would Save

(KMDL-FM) For the first time since 2022, gas prices in Louisiana have climbed above $4 for a gallon of regular fuel. Granted, the American Automobile Association metrics had the average price teetering right at $4, but I think it's safe to say gas is more expensive than it has been in quite a while.

READ MORE: Is Right or Rude - Leaving Your Car Parked at the Pump While Shopping

Many industry pundits blame the higher cost of gas on the ongoing military action in the Middle East. And since President Trump is the Commander in Chief, some of that "blame" has landed on him and his administration. Here is the most recent proposal announced by President Trump regarding fuel prices and how they are affecting the American consumer.

President Trump Announces Plan to Pause Federal Gasoline Tax

On Monday, President Trump suggested that he would move to temporarily eliminate the federal gasoline tax, temporarily. We added temporarily in an extra time to drive home the point that if there is some "relief" from federal taxes on fuel, it will be short-lived.

The proposal by the President is all well and good, but that's about all he can do is propose the idea. For the federal fuel tax to be suspended even temporarily, Congress will have to approve the measure.

Several members of Congress do support the idea. The most recent announcements have come from Republican Senator Hawley of Missouri and Republican Representative Paulina of Florida. It should be noted that several Democratic lawmakers have also proposed the "pausing" of the federal gas tax, too.

How Much of Every Gallon of Gasoline You Buy Goes to Pay Taxes?

So, how much would a gallon of regular gasoline cost in Louisiana without the federal taxes? The current federal tax amount is 18.4 cents per gallon. In Louisiana, our state taxes add up to .20 per gallon. We are paying 38.4 cents per gallon in taxes.

Based on Triple A fuel prices as of this morning, that would mean, without federal taxes, Louisiana motorists would be paying about $3.80 for a gallon of regular gasoline. If we take away the Louisiana taxes, then you are only paying $3.60 at the pump.

How Many Thousands of Dollars Are Louisiana Drivers Paying in Fuel Taxes?

According to an LSU Study, the average Louisiana driver uses between 575 and 882 gallons of fuel every year. Without the federal taxes, that would work out to be a savings of between $10,580 and $16,228.80 per year. That's pretty substantial.

If you use the same data and take away both federal and state taxes, then Louisiana motorists would be saving between $22,080.00 and $33,868.80. That's even more substantial and an even better reason why we should be mad as hell that our roads suck so badly.

So, there are the numbers. We don't know if the President's plan for tax relief will move forward. I guess that it will. We have an election coming up, and since people vote with their wallets instead of their brains, the high cost of fuel will figure into the midterms. Just how much they figure in, we'll have to wait and see.