Summer Travel Plans Impacted by Rising Gas Costs, Survey Finds
Survey respondents say fuel costs are changing road-trip plans as GasBuddy warns prices could top $5 if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed.
- GasBuddy projects the national average gasoline price will reach a record $4.80 per gallon over the summer travel season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, exceeding 2022's summer average of $4.43 if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
- The U.S.-Iran war has constricted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route carrying one-fifth of global oil, while India's shift toward liquefied petroleum gas production has reduced alkylate exports from 61,000 barrels per day in March to 33,000 in April.
- California drivers face the nation's highest gas prices at $6.14 per gallon on May 20, up 31 cents from April, as refiners reduce alkylate production—a specialized gasoline blend the state requires; Analyst Patrick De Haan predicted prices could climb above $6.50 in coming weeks.
- Americans face $1.48 higher gas prices this Memorial Day compared to last year, with two-thirds reporting altered travel plans according to GasBuddy's Summer Travel Survey; the national average hit $4.55 on May 20, and 36% of drivers say they are cutting road trips.
- Recovery could extend beyond a year even after the Strait of Hormuz reopens, according to GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan, as tight global oil inventories keep fuel markets vulnerable to further geopolitical disruptions.
15 Articles
15 Articles
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Summer travel plans impacted by rising gas costs, survey finds
OREGON (KTVZ) -- GasBuddy released its 2026 Summer Travel Survey results and forecast today, indicating that American road trip culture remains resilient even as fuel prices surge. The national average gas price is forecast to reach $4.48 per gallon on Memorial Day and could average $4.80 per gallon throughout the summer travel season. This projected
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