Georgia drivers will continue to see relief at the gas pump through the Memorial Day holiday after Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order suspending the state’s gas tax for an additional two weeks.
The new suspension will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on May 20 and continue through June 3. The action follows the current motor fuel tax suspension authorized under House Bill 1199, which is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on May 19.
According to the governor’s office, the extension is intended to provide additional relief to Georgia families as travel increases during the Memorial Day weekend.
“As Georgia families prepare for the Memorial Day travel weekend, they should not feel blindsided by prices at the gas pump,” Kemp said in a statement. “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.”
AAA estimates that 39.1 million Americans will travel by car during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, surpassing last year’s record.
State officials said the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Georgia is currently about $4.02 under the existing tax suspension, roughly 50 cents below the national average. Georgia is also one of only two states currently suspending its motor fuel tax.
Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax is normally 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon for diesel fuel.