The federal gas tax is 18.3 cents per gallon. The federal diesel tax is 24.3 cents per gallon.

Those numbers have been essentially unchanged since 1993.

On May 5, NFIB published an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner calling on Congress to suspend both. Their argument: 80% of small businesses already report that energy costs are a significant factor in how they operate. With freight rates elevated, tariff-driven supply chain costs rising, and summer driving season approaching, an 18-cent cut at the pump would give small businesses - especially ones that run delivery routes, service vehicles, or rely on freight - immediate relief.

This is worth paying attention to. Here's the math behind it.

What this is actually worth to a small business

If you run a business that puts 1,000 gallons of gas through trucks or vans per month, suspending the federal gas tax saves you $183 per month. That's $2,196 per year - not transformational, but real.

For diesel-heavy operators - freight, landscaping, construction, agriculture, food distribution - the math is better. At 24.3 cents per gallon and 1,000 gallons per month, you're looking at $243 per month, or $2,916 per year.

If you run a fleet - even a small one with four vehicles - multiply those numbers by four. That's the equivalent of a part-time employee's salary in some markets, freed up without cutting anyone.

State and federal tax is 11% of your pump price

NFIB cites this number directly: state and federal gas taxes together account for 11% of the average retail price you see at the pump.

The federal portion (18.3 cents) is about half of that. Suspend it and you've cut roughly 5-6% off your fuel bill. That's not nothing when fuel is already a line item you're watching.

Several governors have already suspended state gas taxes to provide relief - including some in states with significant small business density. Congress hasn't moved on the federal side, but NFIB is now making a public push.

Why this moment specifically

The argument for a gas tax suspension isn't new. NFIB and others have raised it before. What's different now:

Tariff pressure is real. If you import materials or sell goods that travel any distance, your freight costs have gone up this year. Fuel is a component of freight costs. A gas tax suspension doesn't fix the tariff problem, but it takes one input cost off the table.

Inflation in operating costs has been persistent. NFIB's own March 2026 Optimism Index showed 25% of small businesses (net) were still raising prices - above historical averages. The cost environment hasn't normalized.

It's a relatively simple mechanism. Unlike loan programs, tax credits, or regulatory changes, a gas tax suspension doesn't require new bureaucracy. You stop collecting the tax. Prices drop at the pump. It works immediately.

The gas tax funds roads - which is the actual political problem

The federal gas tax goes into the Highway Trust Fund, which pays for roads, bridges, and transit. Suspending it means less money flowing into infrastructure.

This is the reason Congress hasn't done it. Every dollar of gas tax suspension is a dollar the Highway Trust Fund doesn't get.

NFIB's position is that the immediate economic relief to small businesses outweighs this concern, especially if the suspension is temporary. That's a legitimate policy debate - but it explains why this idea tends to stall in Congress even when it polls well with voters.

What to actually watch for

NFIB is a significant lobbying organization with close relationships on both sides of the aisle. When they publish a formal opinion piece and link it directly to their take-action portal, they're typically not just venting - they're building pressure for a specific legislative push.

Watch for a bill introduced in the next few weeks. Whether it gets floor time is another question entirely.

What you should do in the meantime

You can't wait on Congress to manage your fuel costs. A few things that work regardless of what happens:

• Route optimization software is free or cheap at small scale. Better routes mean fewer miles and less fuel. Apps like Circuit, OptimoRoute, and Google Maps with multi-stop optimization pay for themselves fast.
• Fuel cards with discount networks (Wex, Fleetcor, Fuelman) give you 5-15 cents off per gallon at participating stations. That's comparable to a tax suspension without requiring Congress.
• Lock in fuel contracts if your volume justifies it. Some fuel suppliers offer fixed-rate contracts for businesses using consistent monthly volumes.

The NFIB argument for a gas tax suspension is reasonable. Whether Congress acts on it is uncertain. Your fuel costs need attention either way.

Sources: NFIB opinion editorial, Washington Examiner, May 5, 2026 - "Give Small Businesses Relief by Suspending the Federal Fuel Tax" (nfib.com); NFIB Small Business Economic Trends, March 2026 (nfib.com). Federal fuel tax rates: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.