Amid soaring gas prices following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, proposals to suspend California\u2019s gas taxes are getting a no-go from Gov. Gavin Newsom.<\/p>\n
California has the highest gas tax<\/a> in the nation at 61.2 cents per gallon, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.<\/p>\n According to AAA, the average price<\/a> for a gallon of regular gasoline in California reached about $6.16 on Monday, May 11. Prices have climbed about $1.50 per gallon in the state since the Iran war began.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump on Monday said he plans to suspend<\/a> the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon to reduce prices, CNN reported. But that would require congressional approval.<\/p>\n Newsom spokesperson Anthony Martinez slammed proposals for a tax holiday as a \u201cgimmick\u201d that would not help motorists and would instead strip funding for road repairs.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s be clear about the math: the federal gas tax is 18 cents a gallon. Trump\u2019s Iran War surcharge? According to GasBuddy, it\u2019s adding roughly $1.35 per gallon right now, costing American drivers $571 million today alone,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a crisis of Trump and the Republican Party\u2019s making, and Governor Newsom isn\u2019t going to sacrifice California\u2019s roads, bridges, and clean air to help them distract the American people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In a March news release, Newsom\u2019s office said it\u2019s a myth that suspending gas taxes would necessarily lower prices for consumers<\/a>. Instead, oil companies could pocket the savings, it said.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n What gas does the California gas tax pay for?<\/p>\n The state gas tax chiefly provides funding to maintain roads and highways<\/a> in California, the Legislative Analyst\u2019s Office said.<\/p>\n A portion of the money also goes to the state budget, state parks and agricultural programs. Federal gas taxes help pay to maintain highways and provide mass transit.<\/p>\n Is California running out of gas?<\/p>\n Energy experts warn that supplies could become tighter \u2014 and prices could rise even more<\/a> \u2014 if the war in Iran continues.<\/p>\n California has enough incoming fuel shipments to help stabilize prices for about six more weeks<\/a>, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.<\/p>\n The New Corolla, an oil tanker that traveled through the Strait of Hormuz before heading to California, recently unloaded its cargo in Long Beach.<\/p>\n After that shipment, the state no longer has a guaranteed replacement for up to 200,000 barrels of oil per day previously sourced from the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n Officials said gas prices could potentially stabilize<\/a> around $6.50 per gallon, or at least remain below $7, if alternative supply chains hold.<\/p>\n However, other experts warn prices could climb another $2 per gallon.<\/p>\n Why do gas prices rise in late winter and spring?<\/p>\n According to AAA, gas prices usually begin climbing in late winter and early spring, because summer-blend fuel costs more<\/a> to produce.<\/p>\n \u201cSummer gasoline has a lower Reid vapor pressure, which helps reduce evaporation in warmer temperatures,\u201d AAA said in the Feb. 17 news release.<\/p>\n \u201cCalifornia is the first<\/a> state in the nation to make the transition, while East Coast states are the last,\u201d the automobile association said in a Tuesday, Feb. 17, news release.<\/p>\n Many states must switch by May 1, and most gas stations nationwide are required to sell summer-blend fuel by June 1.<\/p>\n The switch begins as early as February<\/a> in some parts of California. The Golden State is required to use summer-blend fuel by April 1, according to AAA.<\/p>\n During this time, the organization said, some refineries also conduct maintenance<\/a>, which can further tighten supply and add pressure to prices.<\/p>\n \u201cHigher crude oil prices have also put upward pressure on pump prices,\u201d the automobile association said.<\/p>\n Loading\u2026<\/p>\n This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n