Georgia governor extends gas tax suspension ahead of Memorial Day weekend

ATLANTA, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order Thursday suspending the state’s motor fuel tax for two additional weeks, giving drivers relief at the pump heading into the Memorial Day travel weekend.

The suspension takes effect at 12:01 a.m. May 20 and runs through June 3. It follows a separate gas tax suspension under HB 1199, which expires at 11:59 p.m. May 19, making the two measures back-to-back with no gap in relief for Georgia drivers.

“As Georgia families prepare for the Memorial Day travel weekend, they should not feel blindsided by prices at the gas pump,” said Kemp in a press release.

“Along with our partners in the legislature, we’ve remained committed to giving hardworking Georgians relief wherever able, and this action is another fulfillment of that promise.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Georgia is currently $4.02, which is 50 cents below the national average. Georgia is one of only two states to have suspended its motor fuel tax.

The state’s motor fuel excise tax stands at 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon for diesel.

The timing coincides with a surge in holiday travel. According to AAA, 39.1 million Americans plan to travel by car this Memorial Day weekend, surpassing last year’s record.