Gas prices: Fuel costs creep up again days away from Memorial Day Weekend
Gas prices in the U.S. have been climbing heading into Memorial Day Weekend, reaching about $4.55 per gallon-nearly matching the 2026 high. After several days of increases, AAA reports prices rose by more than 50 cents over the past month and that nationwide averages have been shifting between roughly $4.50 and $4.56 recently, influenced by tensions involving Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The article also reviews how 2026 fuel costs have fluctuated dramatically, rising from a five-year low near $2.79 in mid-January too over $4 per gallon by late March, with further spikes tied to the start of the Iran war and related events. prices vary widely by region: the highest averages are in western states-led by California at $6.145 per gallon-while the lowest are in the Gulf and adjoining areas. Georgia currently has the cheapest statewide average at $4.006 per gallon, with Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana next on the affordability list.
Gas prices continue to rise across the country just days before Memorial Day Weekend, the traditionally recognized beginning of summer and the summer driving season. Fuel costs rose to $4.55 per gallon on Wednesday, slowly approaching the current 2026 high of $4.56 per gallon. Gas prices typically increase during this time of year, though the expected summer jump in fuel costs was mostly avoided in 2025.
It was the fourth straight day of increases at the pumps for the nation’s drivers. Wednesday’s pricing was over 2 cents per gallon higher than on Tuesday, when gas was $4.533. It also marks a 51 cent per gallon increase for regular gas in a month, according to AAA. Earlier this month, fuel costs rose by more than 30 cents per gallon in a week, pushing the national average from $4.176 to $4.483.
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Gas prices have fluctuated between $4.50 and $4.56 per gallon over the last few weeks as the war with Iran and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue to push prices higher at the pump. On Sunday, the national average price for gas was $4.513 per gallon. This remained steady on Monday with an ever-so-slight increase to $4.515 per gallon, before rising to Tuesday’s high, according to AAA. Yet a week ago, a gallon of regular gas was slightly cheaper, at $4.511.
Fluctuations in fuel costs have been a regular occurrence in 2026, as the national average has varied, going from below $2.80 per gallon to over $4.50 per gallon this year. Since gas prices fell to $2.79 per gallon on Jan. 12, a five-year low, fuel costs have gradually risen, as mentioned above. Initially, winter weather nationwide was blamed for rising fuel costs, as snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production. However, fuel prices began to soar after the Iran war began.
After Operation Epic Fury commenced on Feb. 28, a gallon of regular gas rose to $2.98 the first week of March. By March 31, the national average price of regular gas had risen to $4.02 per gallon. Gas prices had previously reached a 2026 high of $4.16 per gallon on April 9. As a result, soaring fuel costs have been a frequent topic of discussion, with Democrats blaming President Donald Trump’s choice to go to war with Iran as the primary reason gas prices are high.
Nevertheless, despite the recent turbulence at the pumps, the nation’s gas prices vary by state and by region. Currently, the highest gas prices in the nation are in the western U.S., while the lowest are in the Gulf states.
California has the highest gas prices in the country at $6.145 per gallon. This is followed by Washington state at $5.789 per gallon. Next is Hawaii, with a statewide average price of $5.648 per gallon, and then Oregon, with an average price of $5.353 per gallon. Alaska rounds out the top five states with the highest fuel costs in the nation, with an average price of $5.278 per gallon.
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The five states with the most affordable gas prices in the country once again experienced a reshuffling. There are currently no states with an average regular gas price under $4 per gallon. It is the first time this has happened in the country since the first half of the Biden administration.
On Wednesday, Georgia was now the state with the cheapest gas prices in the country at $4.006 per gallon, replacing Texas for that distinction. Mississippi is next at $4.014 per gallon, followed by the aforementioned Lone Star State. Texas’s statewide average gas price increased to $4.038 on Wednesday, according to AAA. Louisiana is next, at $4.049 per gallon, followed by Indiana, the site of this weekend’s Indianapolis 500 race. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Hoosier State on Wednesday is $4.074, a two-cent drop from the day before.
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