Ohio's 90-Day Gas Tax Holiday Has Started: How Much Drivers Could Save and How Long It Lasts

Ohio drivers could see lower prices at the pump for the next three months, though the savings may take a few days to show up.

Ohio's state gas tax is on pause. A 90-day gas tax holiday took effect on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, according to WCPO and FOX19 in Cincinnati. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law last week after it passed the Ohio legislature with support from both parties.

A gas tax holiday is a temporary break from the tax a state adds to every gallon of fuel. Normally, that tax is built into the price on the pump sign, so most drivers never see it as a separate charge.

What's being suspended

The holiday removes Ohio's state tax of 38.5 cents per gallon on gasoline and 47 cents per gallon on diesel, according to local news reports. The break is set to last through Jan. 2, 2027, FOX19 reported.

The state plans to cover the lost tax money with about $725 million from its general revenue fund, WCPO reported. Gas tax money usually pays for roads and bridges, so the state is filling that gap from other funds during the holiday.

Gov. DeWine said gas prices are hurting families. "The gas is so high today and we know that it really hurts people," he said, according to WTVG 13abc in Toledo. "It hurts people when they're going to work, it hurts them whatever they're doing."

The vote was not without debate. One Democratic state senator questioned the timing so close to the election, while Republican supporters said lawmakers "don't stop working just because there's an election coming up," 13abc reported.

How much drivers could save

The savings depend on how much you drive and what you drive. Local reports offered a few estimates:

• About $7 per fill-up for an SUV with a 20-gallon tank (WCPO)
• About $12 per tank for a diesel pickup (WCPO)
• About $80 for the average driver over the full 90 days (FOX19)

Patrick De Haan, an analyst at GasBuddy, cautioned that the savings may not show up all at once. "It will likely be spread out over several days as stations slowly begin to buy that non-taxed fuel," he told WCPO. Stations often still have fuel in their tanks that was bought with the tax included.

Ohio is not alone. Indiana extended its own gas tax holiday by 30 days, through Nov. 4, according to WTVB, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ordered his state's gas tax suspended starting Sept. 29, according to the governor's office.

What this means for your wallet

If you live or drive in Ohio, the next three months could bring some relief at the pump. A few ways to make the most of it:

• Give it a few days. Prices may drift down gradually as stations restock with untaxed fuel.
• Compare stations. Prices can vary widely, even on the same street. Gas price apps may help you find lower prices nearby.
• Put the savings to work. If you were already budgeting a set amount for gas, consider moving the difference into savings or toward a credit card balance instead of letting it disappear.
• Plan for the end date. The tax is scheduled to come back after Jan. 2, 2027. Budgeting as if it never left could prevent a shock when prices jump back.
• Gig workers, track it. If you drive for work, keep tracking your mileage and fuel costs for tax time, since those records still matter.

This article is for education only and is not financial advice. Everyone's situation is different.