Atlanta, GA – May 16, 2026 – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed an executive order extending the state’s temporary suspension of the gas tax for an additional 14 days, providing Atlanta-area drivers with more relief amid ongoing high fuel costs.
Kemp Extends Georgia Gas Tax Suspension by 14 Days, Giving Atlanta Drivers Relief at the Pump
The new order, dated May 15, 2026, suspends the 33-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax and the 37-cent-per-gallon diesel tax starting Wednesday, May 20, at 12:00 a.m., and running through Tuesday, June 2, at 11:59 p.m. The suspension can be renewed by the governor if needed.
In the official document, Kemp ordered: “The suspension of motor and diesel fuel taxes provided in this Order shall become effective on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 12:00 A.M., and shall be valid for a period of fourteen (14) days, expiring Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:59 P.M., unless this State of Emergency is renewed by the Governor.”
The extension comes as the original 60-day gas tax holiday — passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Kemp in March — was set to expire soon. That initial suspension was enacted in response to skyrocketing gas prices triggered by the launch of the Iran war.
WABE reporter Rahul Bali first shared the breaking update on social media Friday evening, posting a photo of the signed executive order.
For Atlanta commuters and families across metro Georgia, the relief translates to real savings. At current prices, the 33-cent reduction per gallon on regular unleaded can mean several dollars saved on a typical fill-up — money that stays in local pockets instead of going to state coffers.
The tax is collected at the distributor level, so the savings should appear at the pump within days of the May 20 effective date, just as they did with the original suspension.
This marks the latest move by state leaders to ease pressure on Georgia households facing higher costs for everything from groceries to commuting. Atlanta drivers, who navigate some of the nation’s busiest highways daily, have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the original tax break.
No further details on potential additional extensions have been announced, but the order leaves the door open for the governor to renew the suspension if fuel prices remain elevated.
Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for the latest on how this affects your wallet — and for any updates from the Governor’s Office.
