Road Funding TodayHow roads & bridges are paid for: gas taxes and registration fees
How much do you contribute to funding?
Annual Cost (Based on an estimate of 10,000 miles driven in one year)
Vehicle Type
Annual Cost (Based on an estimate of 10,000 miles driven in one year)
Total
Low Efficiency 10-20 MPG
Registration Fee
Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$31Registration Fee
$257Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$288
Average Efficiency 20-30 MPG
Registration Fee
Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$31Registration Fee
$160Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$191
High Efficiency 30-50 MPG
Registration Fee
Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$31Registration Fee
$96Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$127
Hybrid 30-50 MPG
Registration Fee
Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$131Registration Fee
$96Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$227
Electric No Fuel
Registration Fee
Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
$231Registration Fee
$231
Registration Fee
Current Gas Tax - 38.5¢/gallon
Total
Note: This graphic represents transportation funding contributions for passenger vehicles only. Heavy trucks contribute to transportation through state taxes on diesel (47¢/gallon) as well as additional fees specific to heavy vehicles such as the Heavy Use Tax, the Federal Excise Tire Tax, Weight Distance Tax (in applicable states), and Unified Carrier Registration (varies by fleet size).
Learn About Funding
What is the gas tax and how does it work?
Every time Ohioans fill up at the pump, part of the price driver's pay goes towards upkeep and development of new local roads, highways, and bridges. Ohio's gas tax is written into the state constitution and is a flat tax, meaning it does not adjust for inflation.
Ohio's current gas tax is 38.5 cents per gallon and the tax on diesel is 47 cents per gallon. The gas tax was last increased in 2019 by legislative action included in House Bill 62. Since hybrid and electric vehicles pay little or no gas tax, this bill also included an additional $100 registration fee for hybrid vehicles and $200 for electric vehicles to help cover the cost of bridge and roadway maintenance. The gas tax raises approximately $1.5 billion dollars annually for road and bridge maintenance.
Before 2019, the gas tax was last raised in 2003 when legislation allowed the tax rate to increase two cents every year for three years, capping out at 28 cents per gallon for both gas and diesel where it stayed until 2019.
How do registration fees play a part in funding?
A small percentage of Ohio's roadways and bridges are funded by registration fees. These are fees Ohio drivers pay annually to keep their vehicles compliant with state law. As mentioned above, a higher registration fee is imposed on owners of hybrid and electric vehicles to offset their lower use of gasoline and thus their contribution to funding Ohio's transportation system.
