What cost $.141 in 1990 would cost $0.23 in 2010 dollar values adjusted for inflation.

So, the federal excise tax cost on gasoline in inflation adjusted dollars is less of the real price of gasoline.

There are lots of reasons for the rise in fuel costs but DIRECT Federal Excise Taxes are not one of them ...

INDIRECT reasons of legislation and oil industry collusion might be a factor but rising demand, real supply v. supply side policies are the most likely suspects.