That probably sounds like a trick question. If gasoline were free, how much we have to pay? The answer is 38.4¢ per gallon.
 
For every gallon of motor fuel purchased, 38.4¢ is taxes. The federal tax is 18.4¢ and the state tax is 20¢.
 

Graphic source: TxDOT Dallas District Sept 2009 "Progress"

 
However, only 28¢ (73%) actually goes toward road construction and repair. The federal government takes 3.7¢ and sends it off to some other state. On the Texas side, 4.8¢ is given to schools and 1.3¢ goes to the Dept of Public Safety and other agencies. A tiny 6/10¢ is refunded. This money goes to fuel purchases that were taxed but the fuel was not used on the highways, such as to farmers for tractors or to construction companies for equipment that is used on private property. Technically, you can request a tax refund for the gas used in your lawn mower.
 
How much would "free" gas cost in other states? The national average is 47¢. By comparison, Texas is a good deal. In fact, Texas is 37th. The most expensive states are California (64.5¢), New York (63.4¢), and Hawaii (62.7¢). Alaska has no state tax on fuels, the only such state, but there is still the federal tax.
 
There's no free lunch and there's no free gas.
 
For more information on TxDOT projects in the Dallas District, review the new Sept report "Progress."
 
HIGHWAY PROJECTS: One project announced in the newsletter is the widening of Lavon Ave (SH-78) from four lanes to six, north of the Firewheel Town Center to Wylie. The winning bid was from McMahan Contracting for $12.8 million, which was 31.3% below the estimated cost.
 
Other projects that affect Garland are $1.6 million in repairs on S Garland Rd and construction of the northbound I-635 frontage road from Centerville Rd, which is still in the bidding process.