U.S. gas prices reach a four-year high as Memorial Day travel begins
The Facts
- The U.S. national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was about $4.55 on May 22.
- Gas prices heading into Memorial Day weekend were at their highest level in about four years, with the holiday average near levels last seen in 2022.
- AAA projected about 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles over Memorial Day weekend, including roughly 39 million traveling by car.
- Current gas prices are substantially higher than a year ago, with reports putting the increase at roughly $1.35 to $1.38 per gallon nationally.
- Several reports say the increase in fuel prices is being driven in part by the Iran war and disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
- California had the highest statewide average gas price in the country at about $6.13 per gallon.
- Analysts and reports cited in the coverage say prices could rise further in the coming weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, including the possibility of the national average reaching about $5 per gallon.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- Higher gas prices are arriving exactly as tens of millions of Americans prepare to drive, and both framings treat that squeeze on household travel costs as real and potentially worsening if disruption through the Strait of Hormuz continues.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: a broad affordability burden falling hardest on people who cannot avoid driving, versus a market constraint that households must navigate through budgeting as global events shape fuel costs.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
Why are gas prices rising now?
Multiple reports tie the increase to the war with Iran and the resulting disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit route; some coverage also cites strong holiday demand and refinery issues as added pressure AZfamily.com,Newser,KABC-AM.
How many people are expected to travel despite the higher prices?
AAA projected about 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles over the Memorial Day period, with nearly 39 million of them going by car, indicating that road travel demand remains high even with elevated fuel costs nbcpalmsprings.com,Hill,Fox2Now.
What happens next for gas prices?
Several reports say prices may keep rising if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed; one cited GasBuddy analyst said the national average could reach about $5 in June, and other forecasts warned of a costly summer if the disruption persists UPI,LPHeraldDispatch.com,Post and Courier.
View all 67 sources
Independent coverage (50)
The GuardianEven if the Iran war ended today, US fuel prices aren't like...
Fox NewsGas prices threaten Memorial Day road trips as pump costs hi...
NOLAAhead of Memorial Day, Louisiana drivers are feeling the str...
Washington ExaminerAmericans may spend $2B more on gas over Memorial Day as pri...
Post and CourierAiken reacts to rising gas prices with local averages coming...
nbcpalmsprings.comMillions Expected to Travel for Memorial Day Weekend Amid Hi...
english.news.cnFeature: Americans feel the pinch of soaring gas prices amid...
Myanmar News.NetFeature: Americans feel the pinch of soaring gas prices amid...
KMTVSome Benson neighbors say they aren't traveling for Memorial...
WDTN.comGas prices, rain affect Memorial Day weekend travel plans
https://www.kkco11news.comRecord Memorial Day travel expected despite high gas prices
Democratic UndergroundWhite House secretly 'freaked' about potential of breaking $...
Fox2NowGas prices surge as Memorial Day travelers hit the road
CBS17.comGas prices remain high in North Carolina ahead of Memorial D...
KGTV3 million Southern Californians to drive this Memorial Day w...
WAFBMemorial Day gas prices top $4 in Louisiana as travelers hit...
Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH)Steep fuel prices are set to make Memorial Day travel costly...
WGBANeighbors are keeping their holiday travel plans despite ris...
abc11 NewsMillions expected to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend a...
https://www.witn.comTravelers comment on high prices as Memorial Day weekend kic...
8NewsRichmond-area gas prices still on the rise ahead of Memorial...
WCHSRoad and air travel up slightly from last year, despite majo...
WGNO - News With A TwistGas not expected to price drivers out of Memorial Day travel...
WPFOGas prices in Maine up around $1.42 per gallon compared to M...
ABC 22 - WJCL SavannahMore than 1 million Georgians are hitting the road this week...
www.theepochtimes.comUS Gas Prices Highest in 4 Years as Memorial Day Weekend Sta...
The HillDrivers face high prices ahead of Memorial Day
KJZZMemorial Day travel in Utah comes with higher fuel costs
POLITICOWar-driven gas spike puts pressure on summer travelers -- an...
WEWSOhio drivers paying some of the highest gas prices in the na...
FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort WorthMemorial Day gas prices: Where to find cheapest gas in North...
MediaiteFox News Segment Warns of High Gas Prices Ahead of Memorial ...
Oregon LiveFilling up before your Memorial Day road trip? Gas is more t...
KABC-AMGas Prices at Four-Year Memorial Day Weekend High
https://www.wrdw.comHow to handle higher gas prices this holiday weekend in the ...
My NBC5AAA data: Gas is up 43% from last Memorial Day
ABC 22 - WJCL SavannahAAA data: Gas is up 43% from last Memorial Day
https://www.wctv.tvAAA: Record traffic expected Memorial Day weekend despite ri...
https://www.kait8.comArkansas gas prices reach highest levels in four years, AAA ...
KFDMMemorial Day gas prices hit highest level in years and could...
LPHeraldDispatch.comGasBuddy survey: Gas price hike not stopping Americans from ...
MorningstarAmericans are paying $2 billion more for gas this Memorial D...
Yahoo! FinanceGas prices at highest in 4 years heading into holiday weeken...
UPIGas prices at highest in 4 years heading into holiday weeken...
Roanoke TimesVa. gas prices jump 5 cents per gallon as Memorial Day trave...
mySA43% gas price hike slams this Texas city ahead of Memorial D...
https://www.atlantanewsfirst.comGas prices drop in Georgia ahead of Memorial Day weekend
WEISGas prices near highest level in 4 years ahead of Memorial D...
https://www.mysuncoast.comMemorial Day gas prices reach four-year high
RochesterFirstGas prices won't stop millions of Memorial Day travelers, AA...
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