ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The trucking industry is reacting to the news of a possible federal fuel tax suspension announced by President Donald Trump on Monday, May 11, 2026.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), in collaboration with the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC), issued a statement early Tuesday.
“We understand and appreciate the desire to provide relief to Americans facing higher fuel costs,” the statement read. “However, past experience shows that gas tax holidays provide little meaningful savings to consumers. Because the federal fuel tax is collected at the wholesale level rather than directly at the retail pump, much of the intended relief may never reach drivers. For the average motorist, a suspension would amount to only minimal weekly savings.”
The joint statement also addressed how critical replacing funding is to infrastructure.
“At the same time, without replacement funding, a suspension of federal fuel taxes would significantly reduce revenues dedicated to critical highway safety and infrastructure investments. Those investments are essential to maintaining the safe and efficient movement of freight and supporting the nation’s supply chain.
President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to suspend the federal tax on gasoline to help Americans shoulder surging fuel prices caused by the Iran war.
According to a report from the Associated Press, the president cannot suspend the federal tax on his own. Congress would have to approve the move.
Lawmakers from both parties have pushed for a gas-tax suspension, saying it would provide much-needed relief for families and businesses that rely on their cars and trucks to get to work and school and run everyday errands.
As of Monday, the average national gas price was $4.52 a gallon, according to the AAA motor club, 50% higher than the average price of just under $3 a gallon before Trump began the war against Iran.
“America’s highways serve as the workplace for professional truck drivers and the backbone of our economy. While trucks represent only a small percentage of vehicles on the road, the trucking industry contributes significantly to the Highway Trust Fund. TCA, alongside ATA and NTTC, remains committed to working with Congress on solutions that provide meaningful economic relief while preserving long-term infrastructure funding and transportation safety.”
The federal tax is currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, an amount that does not include state taxes, which often are higher. The tax provides more than $23 billion per year in revenue for federal highway and public transit programs.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
