Creation and evolution of fuel-tax highway funds in the United States (1920–1980)

1. Oregon enacts first U.S. gasoline tax

   Feb 25, 1919Labels: Oregon, Gasoline tax

   • Eno Center
   • Wired

2. Federal Highway Act formalizes a 7% federal-aid system

   Nov 9, 1921Labels: Federal Highway, Federal-aid system

   • CRS R47922
   • FHWA History

3. Federal-aid highway system map completed under 1921 act

   Nov 1, 1923Labels: Bureau of, Federal-Aid Highway

   • FHWA History
   • FHWA Trails

4. Revenue Act creates first federal gasoline excise tax

   Jun 21, 1932Labels: Revenue Act, Federal gasoline

   • CRS History
   • FHWA Stats

5. Federal gasoline tax made permanent amid wartime-era policy

   Jan 1, 1941Labels: Federal gasoline, Wartime finance

   • FHWA History
   • CRS History

6. Federal-Aid Highway Act authorizes Interstate system (no dedicated funds)

   Dec 20, 1944Labels: Federal-Aid Highway, Interstate system

   • FHWA Admin
   • National Archives

7. Revenue Act temporarily raises federal gasoline tax for Korean War

   Oct 21, 1951Labels: Revenue Act, Federal gasoline

   • FHWA History
   • FHWA Stats

8. Eisenhower signs 1956 act creating Highway Trust Fund

   Jun 29, 1956Labels: Highway Trust, Federal-Aid Highway

   • FHWA Rambler
   • National Archives
   • Treasury 1956

9. Federal-Aid Highway Act raises gasoline tax to 4 cents

   Sep 21, 1959Labels: Federal-Aid Highway, Gasoline tax

   • FHWA Rambler
   • CRS R48472
   • FHWA Policy

10. 1961 act extends 4-cent fuel tax to support 1972 completion goal

    Jun 29, 1961Labels: Federal-Aid Highway, Fuel tax

    • Treasury 1961
    • FHWA Greatest
    • FHWA Build

11. 1973 highway act widens debate over using trust-fund money

    Aug 13, 1973Labels: Highway Act, Highway Trust

    • Congress gov
    • FHWA Policy

12. Fuel-tax highway funds mature as 4-cent rate persists through 1980

    Jan 1, 1980Labels: Highway Trust, Gasoline tax

    • CRS R48472
    • FHWA Rambler
    • FHWA Stats