|
 This year’s AAA holiday travel
forecast estimates a little over 100 million drivers on the road, one-third more
than last year. Travel tip for Illinoisans: Fill up out of state.
This holiday season, travelers are making up for lost time after 2020 caused
many to cancel vacations and get-togethers. AAA’s holiday travel forecast
estimates an additional 21 million drivers on the road this year between Dec. 23
and Jan. 2.
Illinoisans are penalized for their holiday travel by gasoline taxes that on
Dec. 17 made a gallon between 48 cents and 33 cents more expensive than in
bordering states. The state in 2019 doubled the tax on a gallon from 19 cents to
38 cents, plus built in annual hikes that currently have the tax at 39.2 cents.
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The gas tax increase
costs each Illinois driver $105.67 more per year than before the gas
tax doubled. And they will pay even more after July 1, 2022, when
the next automatic inflationary adjustment kicks in.
Drivers in Illinois on
Dec. 17 were paying $1.16 more per gallon than a year ago.
Data from the Tax Foundation found Illinois’ average gas tax rate
was the second-highest in the nation – with California’s being the
highest – and far more than any neighboring state.
Even if you’re traveling within the state, head out of Chicago
before you stop for gas. City and county taxes add $3.83 to a
15-gallon fill-up over what drivers will pay outside Cook County. |
