{"id":2604856,"date":"2026-05-20T07:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T11:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gas-prices-fuel-costs-creep-up-again-days-away-from-memorial-day-weekend\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T07:04:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T11:04:29","slug":"gas-prices-fuel-costs-creep-up-again-days-away-from-memorial-day-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gas-prices-fuel-costs-creep-up-again-days-away-from-memorial-day-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Gas prices: Fuel costs creep up again days away from Memorial Day Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgas-prices-fuel-costs-creep-up-again-days-away-from-memorial-day-weekend%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2604856&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grocery-shop-with-me-to-fact-check-bidens-inflation-up-hardly-at-all-claim\/\" title=\"Grocery Shop With Me To Fact-Check Biden\u2019s Inflation Up \u2018Hardly At All\u2019 Claim\">prices vary widely<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >cheapest statewide average<\/a> at $4.006 per gallon, with Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana next on the affordability list.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gas-prices\/\">Gas prices<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>It was the fourth straight day of increases at the pumps for the nation\u2019s drivers. Wednesday\u2019s 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, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/\">according to AAA<\/a>. Earlier this month, fuel costs rose by more than 30 cents per gallon in a week, pushing the national average <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4554824\/gas-prices-over-30-cents-per-gallon-more-expensive-than-a-week-ago\/\">from $4.176 to $4.483<\/a>. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4573835\/gas-prices-three-consecutive-days-of-increases-at-the-pumps-to-begin-work-week\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gas prices: Three consecutive days of increases at the pumps to begin the week<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4564153\/gas-prices-second-consecutive-week-day-in-which-prices-dropped\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gas prices: Second consecutive week day in which prices dropped<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/economy\/4563627\/treasury-sanctions-islamic-guard-iran-oil-china\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Treasury sanctions network accused of helping IRGC sell Iranian oil to China<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 100% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/bdc07528-2e2b-416b-ba52-abf34cf63783?src=embed&#038;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"Gas Prices\" allowfullscreen allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gas-prices\/\">Gas prices<\/a> have fluctuated between $4.50 and $4.56 per gallon over the last few weeks as the war with Iran and blockades in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/strait-of-hormuz\/\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a> 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\u2019s high, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/\">according to AAA<\/a>. Yet a week ago, a gallon of regular gas was slightly cheaper, at $4.511. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>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 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4414350\/gas-prices-national-average-falls-to-2-79-per-gallon-for-first-time-in-nearly-five-years\/\">$2.79 per gallon<\/a> 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, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gas-prices-less-expensive-than-last-week-last-month-and-last-year-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"...: Less expensive than last ..., last month, and last ... - Washington Examiner\">fuel prices began<\/a> to soar after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\">Iran<\/a> war began.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"8a1ec2bb-c59c-494f-9d89-a115e28e7746\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Gas prices by state\"><\/div>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>After Operation Epic Fury commenced on Feb. 28, a gallon of regular gas rose<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4476417\/gas-prices-costs-creep-up-close-to-3-per-gallon-to-begin-march\/\"> to $2.98<\/a> the first week of March. By March 31, the national average price of regular gas <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4510200\/gas-prices-over-4-per-gallon-most-expensive-since-2022\/\">had risen to $4.02 per gallon<\/a>. Gas prices had previously reached a 2026 high of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/news\/\">$4.16 per gallon on April 9<\/a>. As a result, soaring fuel costs have been a frequent topic of discussion, with Democrats blaming President Donald Trump\u2019s choice to go to war with Iran as the primary reason gas prices are high. <\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, despite the recent turbulence at the pumps, the nation\u2019s gas prices vary by state and by region. Currently, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kevin-mccarthy-sends-letter-to-members-outlining-americas-declining-condition-under-biden-democrats\/\" title=\"Kevin McCarthy Sends Letter To Members Outlining America\u2019s Declining Condition Under Biden, Democrats\">highest gas prices<\/a> in the nation are in the western U.S., while the lowest are in the Gulf states. <\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 66.7% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/7690fed2-8d41-4c24-8687-bfee49e3e4cb?src=embed&#038;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"Gas and oil prices\" allowfullscreen allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4574744\/global-ev-sales-30-percent-market\/\"><strong>GLOBAL EV SALES TO MAKE UP 30% OF THE MARKET THIS YEAR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The five states with the most affordable gas prices in the country once again experienced a reshuffling. There are currently no states with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inflation-and-the-two-sides-of-the-american-economy\/\" title=\"Understanding the Impact of Inflation on the US Economy\">average regular gas price<\/a> under $4 per gallon. It is the first time this has happened in the country since the first half of the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gas prices are still climbing nationwide ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, with Wednesday\u2019s average reaching $4.55 per gallon-nearing the 2026 peak of $4.56. Gas prices often rise around this time, although 2025 saw a smaller summer jump<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2604859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gaspump.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[34477,32544,5708,55811,8068],"class_list":["post-2604856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-fuel-costs","tag-gas-prices","tag-inflation","tag-memorial-day-weekend","tag-transportation"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gaspump.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2604856"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2604861,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604856\/revisions\/2604861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2604859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2604856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2604856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2604856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}