Gas Prices Near Record Highs Ahead of Memorial Day Travel

Americans traveling for the Memorial Day weekend will encounter some of the highest gasoline prices on record. The national surge stems from supply disruptions tied to the conflict in Iran that began in late February.

Trump has ordered record releases of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The administration also temporarily waived the Jones Act to allow faster movement of fuel between U.S. ports and proposed a federal gas tax holiday. Despite these steps, pump prices continue to climb across most regions.

Coast states report the steepest costs, with California at $6.14 per gallon and Washington state at $5.70, according to AAA data. East Coast prices exceed $4.50 in several markets, including $4.67 in Washington, D.C., and $4.62 in Pennsylvania. Midwest prices are led by Illinois at $5.01 per gallon. Southern states remain lower, with Mississippi at $4.01, Georgia at $4.03, and Texas at $4.09.

Diesel prices have reached $5.65, an increase of roughly $2.10 over the past year. Higher diesel costs affect freight, shipping, and public transit, contributing to upward pressure on consumer goods. Uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz continues to influence global crude markets and domestic fuel availability.