October 2026: The Price of the Road: More Than a Century of Wisconsin Transportation Funding

Wisconsin has spent more than a century developing and adjusting how it pays for roads, highways and bridges. Among the longest-standing revenue sources are the motor vehicle registration fees and the fuel tax, both dating back to the early 1900s.

While they have changed over the years, the intent behind the taxes and fees remains largely the same — to balance rising transportation costs and changing vehicle use with the principle that users of the transportation system should bear much of the cost of maintaining it.

Read the October 2026 Research Room here.