PA already has the highest fuel prices and it is going even higher by .08 (Pittsburgh: 2015, to buy)

[gg]

I wonder if we are getting close to having it cheaper to drive to Ohio from Pittsburgh to fill up? We are probably too far away unless you want to bring along a 20 gallon tank.

Pennsylvania Gas Tax Increasing In January 2017 « CBS Pittsburgh

[alastad]

I would think the only people who it would be cheaper for to drive to OH to fill up on gas would be people who live in Western Washington County or Western Beaver County, MAYBE far Northwestern Allegheny County, but that's iffy. Otherwise, it would probably be cheaper to pay the higher taxes.

[szug-bot]

SOMEONE has to have the highest rate. And revenue has to come from somewhere. If not a tax on gasoline in a state, that state will find it elsewhere.

Make conservation a way of life (the way you do by having the kids turn off the lights, or have the baby wear their brothers older clothes), and that 8 cents and more will become a non-issue. I will wager most families just do not consider methods, schedules, and driving habits that can reduce consumption.

When I lived in Fairfax County, where you have to drive EVERYWHERE, and pushed to drive at higher speeds (you think you're gonna merge at 60mph?!?) I taught myself to cut my own consumption, and was very successful. Granted, I was not with the demands of kids at the time, but it can be done.

It's all about habits, choices, and planning.

Even with the current gas tax, the cost of a gallon in PA is still cheaper than in recent memory. It might be on par with what it was in the 1960s, too.

[bradjl2009]

If drivers want better roads after letting them just rot away essentially from 1975-2005, this is what it's going to take. Let's also not forget, cars are much more fuel efficient compared to even only 10 to 15 years ago so more than likely, most people are not filling up as often as they used to (as long as they aren't driving more than before). With this happening and some cars even going to electric, we can't expect gas taxes to stay what they were 20 years ago forever.

Do electric cars have to pay some road fee since their drivers don't pay gas taxes? If not, I'd expect it to occur within the next 5 years. After all, why shouldn't they have to pay for the roads their cars use as well.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

If drivers want better roads after letting them just rot away essentially from 1975-2005, this is what it's going to take. Let's also not forget, cars are much more fuel efficient compared to even only 10 to 15 years ago so more than likely, most people are not filling up as often as they used to (as long as they aren't driving more than before). With this happening and some cars even going to electric, we can't expect gas taxes to stay what they were 20 years ago forever.

Do electric cars have to pay some road fee since their drivers don't pay gas taxes? If not, I'd expect it to occur within the next 5 years. After all, why shouldn't they have to pay for the roads their cars use as well.

Except the comparison is to Ohio who with just a short distance away has much cheaper fuel prices.

[bradjl2009]

Here is the average cost of gas adjusted by inflation as of December 2015.


http://inflationdata.com/articles/wp...e-Jan-2016.jpg

By inflation, gas prices are about where they were in the post WW2 era and lower than that during the oil embargo but higher than what we enjoyed under the cheap oil era of the 90's.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Here is the average cost of gas adjusted by inflation as of December 2015.


http://inflationdata.com/articles/wp...e-Jan-2016.jpg

By inflation, gas prices are about where they were in the post WW2 era and lower than that during the oil embargo but higher than what we enjoyed under the cheap oil era of the 90's.

I don't think anyone is complaining about the cost of gas. The complaint is about PA gas tax vs Ohio.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

I miss the very high gas taxes that I had when I lived in CT. The roads were generally in much better shape than they are here, as the gas taxes went to paying for the roads. It is a good form of use tax...drive more miles, use more roads, pay more tax.

[Copanut]

Good time to buy a Tessla.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

I miss the very high gas taxes that I had when I lived in CT. The roads were generally in much better shape than they are here, as the gas taxes went to paying for the roads. It is a good form of use tax...drive more miles, use more roads, pay more tax.

Pa roads have never been good, especially compared to other states. I expect there could be an even larger tax and the roads would be the same.