TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey motorists are facing rising fuel costs this week as gas prices inch upward following the state’s latest gas tax increase, bringing the total state tax on gasoline to 49.1 cents per gallon. According to data from GasBuddy, the cheapest regular gas in New Jersey was listed at $2.27 per gallon at a Conoco station on Anderson Avenue in Fort Lee, reported within the past day. Other stations posted prices ranging from $2.39 at Valero in Mahwah to $2.43 at Gas and Diesel in East Hanover, with most locations across the state hovering in the low $2.40s.
The 0.9-cent increase, which took effect at the start of the month, was triggered by state law requiring adjustments to ensure stable funding for the Transportation Trust Fund. The tax now ranks among the highest in the nation, reflecting New Jersey’s commitment to maintaining road and bridge infrastructure but also intensifying pressure on commuters already coping with inflation and high living costs.
Fuel analysts note that while wholesale prices remain relatively stable, taxes now account for a larger share of what consumers pay at the pump. For an average driver filling a 15-gallon tank, the tax adds roughly $7.37 to each fill-up, compared with about $6.50 before the latest increase.
GasBuddy data shows that large warehouse clubs such as Costco and BJ’s in Maple Shade and Cherry Hill continue to offer some of the lowest prices, around $2.41 per gallon, drawing long lines as drivers look to stretch their budgets.
State officials have defended the increase, emphasizing that the funds are legally dedicated to highway and transit projects. Still, drivers across New Jersey say the higher rates are cutting into their weekly expenses, especially for those commuting long distances or relying on older, less fuel-efficient vehicles.
The new 49.1-cent-per-gallon gas tax makes New Jersey one of the costliest states in the region to fill up, even as some local stations work to offset the impact through competitive pricing.