Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Suspends The State’s Fuel Tax For 30 Days: But How Much Money Will Commercial Truckers, Consumers Save?

Georgia motorists and commercial logistics companies are recalculating their operational costs this week following Governor Brian Kemp’s executive order suspending the state’s motor fuel tax, a move that promises savings at the pump.

With the temporary suspension lifting the 33.3-cents-per-gallon tax on gasoline and the 37.3-cents-per-gallon tax on diesel fuel, the financial impact will be felt across varying sectors of the state’s economy, from daily commuters to long-haul freight operations.

For the average Georgia commuter driving a standard sedan with a 15-gallon tank, the tax holiday translates to a savings of approximately $5.00 per fill-up. Drivers of larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks equipped with 25-gallon tanks, will see a reduction of about $8.33 each time they completely fill their vehicles. Over the course of the 30-day suspension, a typical motorist filling up weekly can expect to retain roughly $20.00 to $33.00.

The most substantial savings, however, is directed toward the commercial trucking sector, which has faced severe operational strains due to high diesel prices. A standard semi-truck, which typically utilizes fuel tanks ranging from 150 to 250 gallons, will see the cost of a single refueling drop by $55.95 to $93.25.

Industry analysts note that for independent long-haul truckers and corporate logistics fleets operating multiple vehicles across thousands of miles weekly, the cumulative savings will quickly scale into thousands of dollars over the next month.

The suspension takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, and will remain in place for 30 days, through October 29, 2026–less than a week before Election Day.

Prior to the announcement, regular gasoline in the state averaged $4.19 per gallon, while diesel hovered near $6.24 per gallon.

Georgia, much like the rest of the country, has struggled under the weight of skyrocketing gas prices as a result of inflation and fuel price hikes attached to the conflict in Iran. Prior to the war being launched in February, the state’s fuel prices averaged $2.78 per gallon for regular gas, and diesel was priced at $3.52 per gallon.

So even after the fuel tax suspension kicks in, motorists will still end up paying more than a dollar per gallon for regular gas and close to $2.00 per gallon more for diesel since the war started.

A growing number of Republicans nationally have called for the war to come to an end as Election Day draws closer–including Republicans in Congress who repeatedly voted against Democrats’ legislative efforts to limit President Donald Trump’s powers to continue the war.

State business leaders and economic officials express optimism that these reduced shipping overheads will alleviate broader supply chain pressures. The ultimate goal, administration sources say, is for the freight savings to pass through to consumers in the form of stabilized or lowered prices for groceries, retail items, and other essential commodities distributed throughout the state.

But many analysts say those savings could take time to be felt by consumers.