How would per-mile fee work for out-of-state drivers?

Published 1:30 am Thursday, March 6, 2025

I read a letter writer’s comment in The Herald regarding taxing mileage driven by a Washington resident out of state. I too, drive 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year out of state. While I don’t wish to take issue directly with the writer, I wish people would offer their solutions instead of just complaining.

I don’t have a solution. Full disclosure, I do have a neighborhood electric that uses no gas, hence I do not pay a gas tax, like all EV drivers, for the privilege of using the roads for that vehicle. The problem with finding a solution for switching from gas tax to mileage tax is we have would have people come from Portland, Ore., just to buy our gas tax-free petroleum and drive on our roads, or others that come from another state waiting until Washington to buy gas, drive through it to Canada, but buy another tankful before crossing the border and not contribute anything to building or repair.

I am sure the writer is well aware of some of his Vancouver neighbors that go buy high-priced items in Oregon to avoid paying sales tax to the state that provides them services. Again, I don’t have the answer but am listening. Roads and other services require support.

Bill Severson

Stanwood