WASHINGTON D.C. - A national transportation research group has conducted a study that shows Indiana's new gas tax hike could save drivers money.

TRIP, a non-profit group based in Washington D.C., used data from the Federal Highway administration to calculate the effect of poor road conditions on vehicles.

The group concluded that improvements to Indiana's roads, paid for by the gas tax hike, will give drivers better gas mileage and cause less wear on their tires.

Hoosiers began paying an extra 10 cents per gallon of gas when the gas tax raise went into effect on July 1. The Indiana gas tax is now 28 cents per gallon.