We propose an explanation of several experimental features of transport phenomena in the normal state of high T c cuprates in terms of a spin-charge gauge theory of the 2D t–J model. The calculated doping (δ)–temperature (T) dependence for a number of physical quantities is found in qualitative agreement with data. In particular, we recover: in the ‘pseudogap phase’ the metal-insulator crossover of the in-plane resistivity and of the NMR ‘relaxation time’ (T 1 T) 63 and the insulating behavior of the out-of-plane resistivity; in the ‘strange metal phase’ (at higher T or δ) the linear in T behavior of the above quantities; the appearance of maxima in the in-plane far-infrared conductivity in strongly underdoped and overdoped samples.