Excise taxes are regressive taxes, and excise taxes on gasoline are the most regressive of all, because gasoline, unlike alcohol and tobacco, is a necessity for most people rather than a luxury.
I oppose all federal excise tax, but the gas tax moreso.
I, on the other hand, like the gas tax better than just about any other tax. It is the closest tax to a user fee for delivery of government services there is. Use it a lot, pay a lot. Use it little, pay a little. Use it indirectly (so you stay at home but have UPS dropping by every day), those that use the road for your benefit will pay and pass on the bill. No BS about social justice or the rich should be paying more because they have fancy new cars while you have a 1990 Oldsmobile.
I would rather have it collected at the state level than laundered through Washington. If Massachusetts thinks the Big Dig will improve Boston traffic, they can pay for it without Hawaii's help.