About Road Charge
Road charge is an innovative funding mechanism that allows drivers to support road and highway maintenance based on how many miles they drive, instead of how many gallons of gas they use. Just like you pay your gas and electric bills based on how much of these utilities you use, a "user pays" system for transportation funding ensures that drivers all pay their fair share for highway and road maintenance.
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How Transportation Funding Works
Now
- Approximately 80% of highway and road repairs are funded by a tax on gasoline charged at the pump when you buy gas. The more gas you buy, the more you pay in gas taxes and the more you contribute to highway and road repairs.
- On average, Californians pay about $300 a year in state gas taxes.
- Various state fees also support transportation. Trucks pay weight fees and zero-emission vehicle owners pay $118 each year, and all vehicle owners pay a transportation improvement fee.
- Some counties also charge a local sales tax to further invest in road and transit needs or have tolls on bridges or certain highways.
- The public may also pass state bonds to invest in additional transportation needs.
- Interested in seeing what this funding currently supports? See projects in your area here.
With Road Charge
- California could replace the gas tax with a mileage-based user fee charged to drivers who use the roads. The more you drive, the more you pay for highway and road repairs. The less you drive, the less you pay.
- Everyone would pay their fair share for road repairs based on how much they drive, not the kind of car they own.
- California is working to develop a road charge program that is fair, transparent, and sustainable so that it meets our road maintenance needs now and in the future.
Learn about Road Charge
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Wondering how much you'll pay?
Try the Road Charge Calculator