Here's where drivers are seeing the biggest breaks on gas prices

Gas prices remain near record highs, dinging wallets and budgets across the nation. But there are a few locations where drivers are getting some breaks and seeing prices fall — largely due to lawmakers who have suspended gas taxes in their states.

The relief has been almost immediate in Maryland and Georgia, the two states that so far have enacted the tax cuts. A third state, Connecticut, has also passed a law that suspends its gas tax, but that doesn't go into effect until early April. 

More states may soon pass additional measures to cut or suspend gas taxes, with proposals currently in states including Ohio and West Virginia. It's an issue that's picking up steam given that the national gas price average remains above $4 a gallon. But consequences of a tax break might actually feed the problem, given that lower gas prices result in higher demand for gas — which can then push prices up even higher, experts say.

"It lowers costs at the retail level, but it insulates motorists from the true reality of prices," Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, told CBS MoneyWatch.

He added, "The consensus is that lowering the taxes is a direct benefit to the consumer, and that direct benefit can increase gasoline consumption."

Already, demand for gas in Maryland has jumped, although De Haan noted it could be due to drivers from neighboring states and Washington, D.C., driving across the border to fill up. 

Higher gas prices have a very real impact on household budgets: A typical family may incur additional costs of $2,000 this year simply due to the higher costs, according to one Wall Street estimate. 

The reason for today's $4-plus gas prices is partly due to demand: Americans are driving more in 2022, as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. But supply hasn't been keeping up, which has pushed prices higher. Russia's war on Ukraine has further added to the pressures, leading to the recent spike in gas prices. 

"At this point, supply is constrained — and if supply continues to be constrained and demand goes up, it has the potential to make the problem worse," De Haan noted.

Meanwhile, some industry organizations are arguing that gas tax holidays don't provide meaningful relief to consumers, with a study from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association finding that past gas tax holidays only delivered 18% of the tax cut to consumers. 

But, so far, data shows that drivers in states with gas tax holidays are enjoying significant price drops.

Georgia: a 32-cent drop

Gas prices in Georgia have dropped by about 32 cents per gallon in recent weeks, according to data from AAA. Drivers were paying about $4.26 a gallon for regular unleaded on March 16, not far from the national average of $4.30 per gallon that same day. 

But after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill on March 18 to temporarily suspend the state's excise tax on motor fuel sales, the per-gallon price began to decline. The state's rate is 29.1 cents per gallon for gasoline and 32.6 cents per gallon for diesel. 

On March 29, motorists in Georgia were paying about $3.94 per gallon, AAA said. That's about 30 cents lower than the national average of $4.24 that same day.

The tax relief is only temporary, however — it expires on May 31.

Maryland: a 41-cent drop

Maryland drivers have seen an even bigger benefit, with the average price per gallon plunging from $4.23 on March 16 to $3.82 on March 29 — a reduction of 41 cents per gallon. 

Maryland, the first state to suspend its gas tax, suspended the levy for 30 days on March 18. That applies to the state's 36.1 cents per gallon tax on gas and 36.85 cents per gallon tax on diesel fuel. The move is expected to cost the state $100 million.

Connecticut: Tax cut coming in April

Drivers in Connecticut haven't seen a big break yet, but they will probably experience relief in early April. That's because a temporary measure to suspend the state's 25-cent-per-gallon tax will start at the beginning of April through the end of June.

Oil-producing states

Some states are experiencing lower-than-average prices partly due to their location, such as Texas and Oklahoma, which are oil- and gas-producing states. As of March 29, the average per-gallon price for gas in Texas is $3.87, while Oklahomans are paying $3.81 a gallon, AAA said. 

Potential rebates or tax breaks

Residents of other states may soon get relief through proposals from lawmakers to either send rebate checks or suspend gas taxes. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed giving $400 payments to owners of vehicles registered in California as a way of addressing skyrocketing gas prices. If the measure is passed, the checks could be delivered in July. 

In West Virginia, a group of Democratic lawmakers have asked GOP Gov. Jim Justice to call a special session to suspend the state's 35.7 cents per gallon gas tax for 30 days. 

State Senate Republicans in Ohio have introduced a bill to temporarily cut the motor fuel excise tax rate for both gas and diesel to 28 cents per gallon for five years. The current state tax is 38.51 cents per gallon. 

Sometimes the relief is passed on immediately to consumers, but it can also take several days for the lower prices to show up at the pump, GasBuddy's De Haan said. Typically, stations fill up their tanks every three to five days, so some stations may need to sell their current supply, which could still be subject to taxes, before they can refill and sell gas without the state tax. 

"There is a cost to gas cost holidays," De Haan noted. "It will help motorists, but we are digging ourselves into a deeper hole."

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