| Highway taxes are called “user fees” because they are paid by citizens for use of the highways. Despite South Carolina's high level of responsibility, fees paid to the state by each SC citizen are among the lowest in the nation. On a recurring basis, South Carolina invests fewer state dollars per mile than any other state.
The highway user fee is collected at the rate of 16 cents per gallon. It does not grow with the price of fuel. The only way to increase revenues is to consume more fuel (i.e. have more cars on the highways). This puts a greater strain on the roads, requiring more maintenance and more construction.
The motor fuel user fee in South Carolina has not been increased or adjusted for inflation since 1987.
Across the southeast region, 51% of state highway funding is derived from sources other than fuel user fees. In South Carolina, only 27% comes from other sources. This chart combines SCDOT funding with South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank funding to show the grand total of state-source funding. |
Highway
Policy in South Carolina
