What Do Americans Think About Federal Tax Options to Support Transportation? Results from Year Sixteen of a National Survey

Agrawal, Asha Weinstein; Nixon, Hilary · 2025 · ROSA P / San Jose State University. College of Business. Mineta Transportation Institute

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Summary

This report presents findings from the sixteenth year of a national survey series examining U.S. public opinion on federal transportation tax options. The research addresses the critical policy challenge of identifying sustainable revenue sources for transportation infrastructure as fuel tax receipts are projected to decline due to the rise of electric and high-efficiency vehicles. This revenue shortfall coincides with growing maintenance needs, as evidenced by poor road conditions and transit funding deficits. The study aims to inform policymakers by testing public support for raising the federal gas tax versus implementing new mileage fees, while also assessing public priorities for transportation spending and views on equity and privacy. The methodology involved an online survey administered by Qualtrics to a nationally representative sample of 2,539 U.S. adults between February 3 and February 27, 2025. The questionnaire tested support for eleven specific tax variants: six versions of a 10-cent-per-gallon federal gas tax increase (with revenues dedicated to different goals like maintenance, safety, or pollution reduction), two variants of a mileage fee replacing the gas tax (flat-rate vs. pollution-adjusted), and three variants of a mileage fee on commercial travel. The survey also collected data on travel behavior, vehicle characteristics, perceived local infrastructure quality, and preferences for data collection entities. Data were weighted to match U.S. Census demographics, and results were compared against trends from the annual series dating back to 2010. Key findings indicate that while public knowledge of the federal gas tax is low—only 3% of respondents knew the rate had not increased in over 20 years—support for raising it is high when revenue is earmarked. Specifically, 75% supported a 10-cent increase if dedicated to maintenance. Support for mileage fees was also substantial, with several options receiving support from nearly half or more of respondents. Respondents favored variable rate structures, with 63% preferring reduced rates for low-income drivers and 49% preferring lower rates for electric vehicles compared to gas and diesel cars. Regarding data privacy, respondents expressed greater trust in state motor vehicle departments to collect mileage data than in tolling agencies, insurance companies, or vehicle manufacturers. Trend analysis reveals that support for both higher gas taxes and mileage fees has risen slowly but steadily since 2010. The significance of these findings lies in their implication for transportation policy design. The results suggest that the public is willing to support increased transportation taxation if revenues are transparently dedicated to specific improvements, particularly maintenance and safety. Furthermore, the strong preference for equity-based rate structures and trusted government entities for data collection provides a roadmap for designing mileage fee programs that may achieve higher public acceptance. As fuel tax revenues dwindle, these insights offer evidence-based guidance for structuring alternative funding mechanisms that align with public priorities for a safe, equitable, and well-maintained transportation system.

Key finding

Seventy-five percent of U.S. adults supported increasing the federal gas tax by 10 cents per gallon for maintenance, and support for both gas tax increases and mileage fees has risen steadily since 2010.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 2539

Provenance

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Topics

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• acceptance adoption