Last updated: June 2026 · DC motor fuel tax rate effective Oct 1, 2025 (FY2026)
Washington DC · 35.7¢/gal · Not an IFTA jurisdiction

Washington DC Motor Fuel Tax Calculator 2026 — Diesel Rate & Filing

Washington DC taxes diesel at 35.7¢ per gallon (23.5¢ base + 12.2¢ local transportation surcharge) for FY2026. Note: DC is not an IFTA member jurisdiction — DC miles are not reported on an IFTA return. This tool estimates DC pump fuel tax, not an IFTA liability.

Important: The District of Columbia is not a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). IFTA covers the 48 contiguous U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces only. DC-based carriers must register for IFTA in another base jurisdiction (commonly Maryland or Virginia), and miles driven in DC are treated as non-IFTA miles. The figure below is DC's own motor fuel excise tax on diesel, not an IFTA tax owed to DC.

Estimate Your DC Diesel Fuel Tax

DC Motor Fuel Tax & Trucking Overview 2026

Washington DC taxes diesel at 35.7¢/gal — a 23.5¢ base motor fuel tax plus a 12.2¢ local transportation surcharge, in effect since October 1, 2025. Diesel is taxed at the same rate as gasoline. Because DC is not an IFTA jurisdiction, you do not file DC miles on a quarterly IFTA return; instead, DC fuel tax is simply collected at the pump on fuel purchased in the District.

DC Trucking Context

The District is a dense, delivery-heavy market — federal government facilities, retail, and construction — rather than a long-haul through-corridor. Most interstate truck traffic skirts the city on the Capital Beltway (I-495, which runs through Maryland and Virginia), while DC freight moves on I-295, I-395, and US-50 (New York Avenue). Many DC streets carry weight and routing restrictions, so local knowledge matters more than fuel-tax arbitrage here.

For fuel strategy, neighboring Virginia (27.5¢/gal) is the cheaper place to diesel up, while Maryland (36.9¢/gal) is slightly higher than DC. If you are based in or around DC and need IFTA decals, you will register through Maryland or Virginia as your base jurisdiction.

Washington DC Fuel Tax — Frequently Asked Questions

Does Washington DC participate in IFTA?
No. The District of Columbia is not a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement. IFTA includes the 48 contiguous U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. DC-based carriers register for IFTA through another base jurisdiction, typically Maryland or Virginia.
What is DC's diesel fuel tax rate in 2026?
DC taxes diesel at 35.7¢/gal — a 23.5¢ base motor fuel tax plus a 12.2¢ local transportation surcharge, effective October 1, 2025. Diesel is taxed at the same rate as gasoline. (Source: DC Office of Tax and Revenue.)
How are my DC miles handled on an IFTA return?
Miles driven in DC are non-IFTA miles. You still track them for your records, but DC is not a reporting jurisdiction on the IFTA return — there is no DC column on the IFTA tax schedule. Fuel tax in DC is paid at the pump.
Where should I fuel near DC?
Virginia at 27.5¢/gal is the cheapest of the three neighbors. DC is 35.7¢/gal and Maryland is 36.9¢/gal. If your route allows, buy diesel in Virginia before entering the District.
Related Calculators
Full IFTA Calculator
All 48 states
Maryland IFTA
36.9¢/gal
Virginia IFTA
27.5¢/gal
Fuel Cost Calculator
Per trip fuel cost

Want saved reports and dashboards?

QuicklyFig Pro is coming soon with saved calculations, exports, and operator workspaces.

Join the waitlist