Missouri Taxes & Road Maintenance: What Do We Pay?

Most of us have been corralled into one-lane traffic surrounded by orange road cones or barrels a time or two. Sometimes it’s just a mild delay, other times it leaves us wondering how late it’s going to make us. Either way, it’s not usually the most pleasant experience. Slow traffic, because of construction and road maintenance, can really put a damper on your plans and ruin your schedule. Not to mention it’s very easy to get caught up in the negativity of openly complaining during your drive. You may have thought to yourself, “do they really need to do this?” Maybe you’ve heard someone say, with a note of sarcasm, “Our tax dollars at work!” But have you ever wondered exactly how much of your tax money is actually used for road construction and maintenance?

Missouri state taxes are essentially composed of three different categories. As Missouri residents, we pay a progressive income tax (depending on our taxable income), sales tax on goods and services and property tax. These three categories basically make up the system for collecting taxes. The allocation of funds from our collected state tax is decided and budgets are made for state spending. A large part of this spending goes to road maintenance and transportation projects, which are handled by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). MoDOT employs more than 3,000 field employees to handle the operation and maintenance of the transportation system.

In Missouri, the primary sources of funding for road maintenance and transportation projects come from motor fuel taxes, motor vehicle sales taxes, and federal transportation funds. Missouri drivers pay a tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. This is a significant source of revenue for the state's transportation budget specifically allocated to maintaining and improving roads and highways through roadway repair operations. (See photo below.)

State fuel taxes and federal transportation funds are the primary sources of funding for Missouri road maintenance.

In 2024, Missouri tax payers contributed approximately $2.1 billion toward MoDOT services including road and bridge maintenance and construction. In terms of size, Missouri's transportation system is ranked the 7th largest in the United States for its state-managed road network. With over 33,800 miles of road and 10,400 bridges, it is one of the most extensive systems in the country.

On roadway repair operations alone, tax payers contributed about $261 million last year. This money was allocated specifically for repair work like patching potholes, sealing and striping. It may seem like a lot of money for repair work. However, considering that MoDOT lays one-inch of asphalt for over 2,000 miles each year, you can kinda start seeing the math adding up. Pavement repairs, sealing, snow and ice removal, vegetation control and dead animal removal are just a few of the numerous services that are paid for with Missouri state tax money.

The state spent $261 billion for repair work like patching potholes, sealing and striping in 2024.

In addition to road repair, winter operations can be extremely high. For 2024, the state spent $53 million on snow removal and winter operations. These operations were primarily funded through the State Road Fund, which is supported by state fuel taxes, vehicle licensing fees and other state revenues. Federal contributions may also play a role in keeping our winter roads safe, especially during extreme whether conditions and severe winters.

Missouri spent $53 million on snow removal and winter operations in 2024.

In Missouri, every tax dollar poured into our roads and bridges is a testament to the commitment of its citizens. From icy winters to hot summers, our highways and byways serve as the arteries of daily life, connecting communities and driving commerce. Yet, as costs rise and infrastructure ages, the challenge of keeping up with demand grows. The truth is, while taxpayer money is well allocated, it simply isn’t enough to cover all the needs of maintenance, winter operations, and future improvements.

But here's the silver lining: Missourians have a legacy of resilience and innovation. With collaborative efforts, strategic investments, and an eye on sustainability, there's a road ahead where progress and ingenuity pave the way. Together, we'll continue to build and protect the pathways that keep us moving forward.