diff --git a/src/ape/api/networks.py b/src/ape/api/networks.py
index bb45a69b89..4d76b28b55 100644
--- a/src/ape/api/networks.py
+++ b/src/ape/api/networks.py
@@ -717,6 +717,13 @@ def auto_gas_multiplier(self) -> float:
         """
         return self.gas_limit.multiplier if isinstance(self.gas_limit, AutoGasLimit) else 1.0
 
+    @property
+    def base_fee_multiplier(self) -> float:
+        """
+        A multiplier to apply to a transaction base fee.
+        """
+        return self._network_config.get("base_fee_multiplier", 1.0)
+
     @property
     def chain_id(self) -> int:
         """
diff --git a/src/ape/api/providers.py b/src/ape/api/providers.py
index 400c3ab209..6c24b8cf76 100644
--- a/src/ape/api/providers.py
+++ b/src/ape/api/providers.py
@@ -1411,7 +1411,8 @@ def prepare_transaction(self, txn: TransactionAPI) -> TransactionAPI:
                 txn.max_priority_fee = self.priority_fee
 
             if txn.max_fee is None:
-                txn.max_fee = self.base_fee * 2 + txn.max_priority_fee
+                multiplier = self.network.base_fee_multiplier
+                txn.max_fee = int(self.base_fee * multiplier + txn.max_priority_fee)
             # else: Assume user specified the correct amount or txn will fail and waste gas
 
         if txn.gas_limit is None:
diff --git a/src/ape/utils/__init__.py b/src/ape/utils/__init__.py
index 3ca3146d10..84bff51e82 100644
--- a/src/ape/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/src/ape/utils/__init__.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 )
 from ape.utils.github import GithubClient, github_client
 from ape.utils.misc import (
+    DEFAULT_LIVE_NETWORK_BASE_FEE_MULTIPLIER,
     DEFAULT_LOCAL_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT,
     DEFAULT_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT,
     EMPTY_BYTES32,
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@
     "BaseInterface",
     "BaseInterfaceModel",
     "cached_property",
+    "DEFAULT_LIVE_NETWORK_BASE_FEE_MULTIPLIER",
     "DEFAULT_LOCAL_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT",
     "DEFAULT_NUMBER_OF_TEST_ACCOUNTS",
     "DEFAULT_TEST_CHAIN_ID",
diff --git a/src/ape/utils/misc.py b/src/ape/utils/misc.py
index b0724e5261..fefa6fff94 100644
--- a/src/ape/utils/misc.py
+++ b/src/ape/utils/misc.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 ZERO_ADDRESS: AddressType = cast(AddressType, "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000")
 DEFAULT_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT = 120
 DEFAULT_LOCAL_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT = 20
+DEFAULT_LIVE_NETWORK_BASE_FEE_MULTIPLIER = 1.4
 DEFAULT_MAX_RETRIES_TX = 20
 
 _python_version = (
diff --git a/src/ape_ethereum/ecosystem.py b/src/ape_ethereum/ecosystem.py
index abf2307da9..9ca170741e 100644
--- a/src/ape_ethereum/ecosystem.py
+++ b/src/ape_ethereum/ecosystem.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
     TransactionSignature,
 )
 from ape.utils import (
+    DEFAULT_LIVE_NETWORK_BASE_FEE_MULTIPLIER,
     DEFAULT_LOCAL_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT,
     DEFAULT_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT,
     EMPTY_BYTES32,
@@ -103,6 +104,9 @@ class NetworkConfig(PluginConfig):
     The default for local networks is ``"max"``, otherwise ``"auto"``.
     """
 
+    base_fee_multiplier: float = 1.0
+    """A multiplier to apply to a transaction base fee."""
+
     class Config:
         smart_union = True
 
@@ -131,16 +135,25 @@ def validate_gas_limit(cls, value):
 
 def _create_local_config(default_provider: Optional[str] = None, **kwargs) -> NetworkConfig:
     return _create_config(
-        required_confirmations=0,
+        base_fee_multiplier=1.0,
         default_provider=default_provider,
-        transaction_acceptance_timeout=DEFAULT_LOCAL_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT,
         gas_limit="max",
+        required_confirmations=0,
+        transaction_acceptance_timeout=DEFAULT_LOCAL_TRANSACTION_ACCEPTANCE_TIMEOUT,
         **kwargs,
     )
 
 
-def _create_config(required_confirmations: int = 2, **kwargs) -> NetworkConfig:
-    return NetworkConfig(required_confirmations=required_confirmations, **kwargs)
+def _create_config(
+    required_confirmations: int = 2,
+    base_fee_multiplier: float = DEFAULT_LIVE_NETWORK_BASE_FEE_MULTIPLIER,
+    **kwargs,
+) -> NetworkConfig:
+    return NetworkConfig(
+        base_fee_multiplier=base_fee_multiplier,
+        required_confirmations=required_confirmations,
+        **kwargs,
+    )
 
 
 class EthereumConfig(PluginConfig):
@@ -183,10 +196,7 @@ class Block(BlockAPI):
         pre=True,
     )
     def validate_ints(cls, value):
-        if not value:
-            return 0
-
-        return to_int(value)
+        return to_int(value) if value else 0
 
 
 class Ethereum(EcosystemAPI):
diff --git a/tests/functional/test_networks.py b/tests/functional/test_networks.py
index 2fe78ff771..f527bd45fd 100644
--- a/tests/functional/test_networks.py
+++ b/tests/functional/test_networks.py
@@ -238,3 +238,8 @@ def test_gas_limits(networks, config, project_with_source_files_contract):
     _ = project_with_source_files_contract  # Ensure use of project with default config
     assert networks.ethereum.goerli.gas_limit == "auto"
     assert networks.ethereum.local.gas_limit == "max"
+
+
+def test_base_fee_multiplier(networks):
+    assert networks.ethereum.mainnet.base_fee_multiplier == 1.4
+    assert networks.ethereum.local.base_fee_multiplier == 1.0