PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio’s 90-day motor fuel tax holiday is officially underway, but motorists across Pickaway County are finding that tax relief doesn’t automatically mean uniform prices at the pump.
Under House Bill 519, state excise taxes on gasoline dropped from 38.5 cents to nearly zero (0.0001 cents per gallon), while diesel taxes fell from 47 cents per gallon down to the same nominal rate. The temporary holiday, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2026, runs through Jan. 2, 2027. State officials estimate the pause will save the average driver between $55 and $80 over its three-month duration.
To offset the loss in infrastructure funding during the tax holiday, the state transferred $725 million from its general revenue and reserve funds. However, the legislation offers no direct relief or registration fee credits for hybrid or electric vehicle owners.
Pickaway County Lags Neighboring Areas in Savings
Despite the statewide rate reduction, local drivers in Pickaway County continue to see higher overall averages than surrounding communities. Tracking data from both AAA and GasBuddy indicates that neighboring Fairfield, Franklin, and Ross counties are reporting lower regional averages overall.
Across much of Pickaway County, prices are still pushing close to $4.00 per gallon, though localized deals can be found for drivers willing to shop around.
Among the county’s cheapest options:
- Love’s Travel Stop (US-23 in South Bloomfield/Duroc St.): Leading local savings at $3.69 per gallon.
- BP (State Route 22 W in Circleville): Trailing closely behind at $3.79 per gallon.
Drivers seeking official guidelines and tax updates regarding the ongoing motor fuel tax holiday can find additional details directly through the Ohio Department of Taxation.
