San Diegans already pay some of the nation's highest gas taxes, and they're about to fork over even more at the pump.
On Wednesday, the state will raise the per-gallon tax by 12 cents to 41.7 cents per gallon. That's on top of existing state and federal taxes drivers pay on regular gasoline.
Gov. Jerry Brown and the state legislature approved the increase earlier this year to help fund state and local transportation projects. There's an interactive project map here.
The new tax is supposed to generate about $52 billion over the next 10 years.
"For us just regular people, we don't have the extra money to pay for gas, especially with the commute," said La Mesa resident Anneke Crowder, who was filling up Monday.
But there is one force at play that could lessen the hit from the increase. The day the tax goes up, Wednesday, is also the day that gas stations can start selling the less expensive winter blend.
Marie Montgomery, a spokeswoman for the Auto Club, says that should cut the gas price about 6 cents, offsetting half the increase.
Diesel drivers will be hit harder on Wednesday, when the per-gallon tax increases 20 cents, and the sales tax goes up to 13 percent.
On Monday, the average gallon of regular gas cost $3.05 in San Diego, and Diesel $3.14.
