NC drivers pay higher gas tax than neighbors

RALEIGH -- Across the country, gas prices are up nearly 30 cents from just one month ago.

North Carolina drivers still pay less than the national average. However, the gas tax here is much higher than other nearby states.

On a gallon of regular unleaded gas, North Carolina drivers pay the standard 18.5 cents in federal tax and 39 cents in state tax.

All together, North Carolina drivers pay 57.6 cents tax on each gallon of gas.

Here's how the gas tax rates stack up in other states:

• Virginia -- 38.2 cents

• Tennessee -- 39.8 cents

• Georgia -- 47.8 cents

• South Carolina -- 35.2 cents

North Carolina's gas tax pays for roads while a lot of the other states use property taxes. State Senate candidate Chad Barefoot thinks we can do it better.

"The first thing the state needs to do is cap the gas tax," said Barefoot. "I think the best thing the state can do right now is start to look at other models for funding the state's road system."

Republican House Majority Leader Paul Stam isn't so sure.

"If you match them on the gas tax, you have to match them on property taxes and other types of taxes as well," said Stam.

Click here for the cheapest gas prices in your town.

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