Americans heading out for Memorial Day weekend are facing the most expensive fuel costs in four years. Gas prices today have hit a national average of $4.56 per gallon, according to AAA — and they may not stop rising anytime soon. The national average for a gallon of regular is up 3 cents over last week and $1.38 higher than this time last year. Current prices are close to what drivers were paying four years ago, when the Memorial Day national average reached $4.61. For millions of Americans, the timing could not be worse. Totalcarerestoration
What Is Driving Gas Prices Today So High
The Strait of Hormuz Is the Key Factor
The biggest force pushing gas prices today higher is a global one. The national average price for a gallon of gas has risen more than 50% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February. The Strait of Hormuz — a key Middle East waterway that normally accommodates a fifth of the world’s global oil supply — remains closed, disrupting crude and refined product shipments worldwide. Islandernews
Meanwhile, gasoline stockpiles in the U.S. fell for a 14th consecutive week in May, even as refineries operated at full capacity using feedstock from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Gravity Systems
Therefore, the combination of disrupted global supply and rising domestic demand has put sustained upward pressure on pump prices.
Summer Demand Adding More Pressure
Gasoline demand increased last week from 8.75 million barrels per day to 8.76 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 215.7 million barrels to 214.2 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels per day. Totalcarerestoration
Furthermore, the approaching summer driving season typically lifts near-term fuel consumption. Analysts warn that demand will keep climbing through July and August.
Gas Prices Today by State: Who Pays the Most and Least
Not every driver feels the same pain at the pump. Prices vary widely depending on where you live.
Most expensive states:
- California: $6.14 per gallon Totalcarerestoration
- Washington: $5.78
- Hawaii: $5.64
- Oregon: $5.35
- Alaska: $5.27
- Nevada: $5.27
- Illinois: $5.01
Least expensive states:
- Mississippi: $4.01 per gallon Totalcarerestoration
- Georgia: $4.03
- Indiana: $4.04
- Louisiana: $4.05
- Texas: $4.09
- Oklahoma: $4.09
However, even the cheapest states are now paying over $4.00 per gallon. Average gas prices saw double-digit increases in every state between May 2025 and May 2026. PBS
Summer Forecast: It Could Get Even Worse
The price pain may not be over yet. A new forecast from GasBuddy predicts gas prices across the U.S. will average $4.80 a gallon between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert at GasBuddy, called it “the most volatile summer at the pump in years.” Islandernews
Moreover, gas prices could test their all-time high of $5.02 a gallon if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed late into the summer. Islandernews
Therefore, Americans planning road trips in July and August could face even steeper fuel bills than they are seeing today.
How Rising Gas Prices Today Are Changing Travel Plans
“Vacation Inflation” Hits All Travel Modes
Higher gas prices today are rippling far beyond the pump. They are reshaping how Americans travel this summer across every mode of transportation.
“If you’re going anywhere for Memorial Day weekend, you’re going to be experiencing what can only be called ‘vacation inflation,'” said CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. Nationally, average domestic airfare is about $383, up $89 from last year. Driving may not save travelers money either, with gas prices rising $1.42 per gallon from a year ago, according to AAA. Islandernews
Additionally, flights to Nashville cost $121 more than a year ago, according to travel site Kayak. Nashville alone is expecting 18 million visitors this year — slightly above last year’s total — showing that higher costs are not stopping all travelers. Islandernews
Lower-Income Families Pulling Back the Most
The impact of high gas prices is not hitting everyone equally. Analysts have increasingly described travel spending as “K-shaped,” with higher-income households continuing to spend while lower-income families pull back or opt out entirely. Bank of America said lower-income households were significantly more likely to report having no summer travel plans this year. CBS News
Furthermore, new polling by Quinnipiac University found that 48% of registered U.S. voters have cut back on vacation spending, 54% have reduced what they spend on dining out, and 36% have curbed their driving. CBS News
One Family’s Story
One Rhode Island mother of three captures the shift perfectly. Her family has traded pricier trips — including long summer stays in Florida and an annual Disney World visit — for local beaches, bike rides, and hiking trails near their home in coastal Rhode Island. CBS News
She is not alone. Millions of American families are making similar trade-offs as summer 2026 takes shape.
Millions Still Hitting the Road Despite High Gas Prices Today
Despite the sticker shock, Americans are not canceling their summer plans entirely. As holiday travelers start hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend in record numbers, gas prices are the highest they have been in four years. Nevertheless, demand keeps climbing. Totalcarerestoration
While price remains one of the biggest hurdles this summer — with one in five Americans saying it is their top concern when planning trips — demand is still strong. Travelers are becoming much more strategic. There is a clear shift toward value-driven decision-making. WSVN
According to Skyscanner data, the cheapest week to travel for summer 2026 is August 17–23, and the cheapest day to travel is Monday. Punta Gorda, Florida, stands out as the most affordable coastal destination, with flights averaging $179 round-trip. WSVN
Smart Tips to Save Money on Gas This Summer
With gas prices today showing no signs of a sharp drop, here are practical ways to reduce your fuel costs:
- Fill up in lower-cost states — Georgia, Texas, and Mississippi offer the cheapest pumps
- Use GasBuddy or Waze to find the lowest prices near your route
- Travel mid-week — Tuesday and Wednesday typically see less demand-driven price spikes
- Keep tires properly inflated — underinflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by up to 3%
- Avoid hard acceleration and braking — smooth driving can improve fuel economy by 15–30%
- Consider traveling in August — mid-to-late August typically brings significantly lower travel costs across all modes WSVN
- Look into EV charging if applicable — the national average per kilowatt hour at a public EV charging station remains steady at 41 cents, well below the per-mile cost of gasoline at current prices Totalcarerestoration
Conclusion
Gas prices today are reshaping the American summer travel experience in real time. At $4.56 per gallon nationally — with California drivers paying over $6.00 — the fuel cost burden is heavier than it has been since 2022. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to drive global oil prices higher, and forecasters warn that the summer average could climb further toward $4.80 or beyond. However, Americans are resilient and resourceful. Millions are still hitting the road — just more strategically than before. Stay informed, plan smart, and check gas prices before you go. The road ahead is expensive, but it is still open.
