Gas prices have hit an unwelcome milestone ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, with an average gallon now costing more than $4 in every state. That represents a 50 per cent jump since President Donald Trump went to war with Iran in late February and is more than $1.25 more expensive than the 2025 holiday weekend.
Record Highs at the Pump
"This is the most volatile summer at the pump in years," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "Americans are going to pay billions more to get where they're going this summer." According to auto club AAA, prices are highest in California at $6.14 a gallon, followed by Washington ($5.79), Hawaii ($5.65), Oregon ($5.35) and Alaska ($5.28).
The Iran war is having a significant impact on U.S. gas prices due to Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 per cent of the world's oil supply passes. Shipping traffic in the Strait has ground to a virtual halt amid blockades and the threat of Iranian attacks, sending oil prices past $100 a barrel.
Multiple Factors Driving Costs
The war has combined with several other factors to cause the spike. Gas prices generally tend to rise in the warmer summer months because refineries use a more expensive heat-resistant blend of fuel, according to GasBuddy. These factors have pushed the average gallon price to $4.01 in Georgia, the cheapest state, followed by Mississippi ($4.01), Texas ($4.03), Louisiana ($4.05) and Oklahoma ($4.09).
Prices aren't coming down anytime soon, De Haan said. "Even after the Strait reopens, it could take a year or more for prices to fully recover."
Public Frustration and Political Blame
Consumers are voicing their frustrations over fuel costs. Some 81 per cent say the price of gas has put either a minor or major strain on their budget, according to a May 2026 survey by NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll. Another 63 per cent place a "great deal" or "good amount" of blame on President Trump.
The Trump administration hasn't offered much sympathy. The president has said multiple times that Americans' financial situation doesn't motivate him to strike a peace deal with Iran, and that high gas prices are worth it for eliminating an Iranian nuclear threat. Republicans are worried about Americans' perception of the party ahead of November's midterm elections. "I don't think they have to worry about being seen as out of touch because they're acting out of touch," a Republican operative told NOTUS. "They're doing it to themselves."
