NJ ranking is going up to #6…on gas taxes, that is.

You might want to fill up your gas tank today. On November 1, the gas tax in NJ will increase from 14.5 cents a gallon to 37.5 cents a gallon making NJ 6th highest in the U.S. Until now, NJ was the 49th behind, not surprisingly,  Alaska.  Until now, people crossed state line to fill up saving up to 40 cents per gallon. Indeed, I remember when I lived in NY and would pass through reminding myself to get gas before I go over the GW Bridge.

According to AAA, the average price of gas in New Jersey was $2.04–I just filled my tank for $1.95–compared with $2.38 in New York and $2.39 in Pennsylvania.

Why the increase? Govenor Chris Christie agreed to the increase to pay for transportation projects after the state ran out of funds. The transportation trust fund expired three months ago, and Christie ordered a halt to transportation projects (remember that, Summit?) NJ infrastructure received a D+ from the ASCE which it means roads, tunnels and bridges are in “poor to fair condition and mostly below standard with many elements approaching the end of their service life. A large portion of the system exhibits significant deterioration.”

New Jersey will still have lower gas taxes than New York and Pennsylvania who are among the highest  rates in the country.