California's diesel tax rate of 97.1¢ per gallon is the 2nd highest in the US. Fuel up in Nevada (27.8¢) or Arizona (26.0¢) before crossing into CA — and calculate exactly what you owe.
California's diesel tax rate of 97.1 cents per gallon is the second highest in the country, trailing only Pennsylvania's 74.1¢. The rate includes a state excise component plus a variable portion indexed to diesel prices. For every gallon you consume in California but didn't buy there, you owe the difference through IFTA.
The practical implication is clear: fill up completely in Nevada (27.8¢) before entering via I-15 or I-80, or fill up in Arizona (26.0¢) before entering via I-10 or I-40. On a 150-gallon tank, the IFTA savings from fueling in Nevada instead of California are approximately $60 per fill (150 gal × $0.402 difference).
I-5 (Pacific Coast Spine): Oregon border to LA to San Diego/Mexico. Highest-volume freight corridor in the western US, especially from LA Basin north through the Central Valley.
I-10 (East-West): Arizona border through Indio, Los Angeles. Port of LA/Long Beach container freight moves on this corridor.
I-15: Nevada border south through Barstow, San Bernardino to San Diego. Main entry from Nevada — fuel in NV before entering.
I-80: Nevada border through Sacramento to the Bay Area. Main northern entry — fuel in Reno/Sparks, NV before crossing.
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