GasBuddy forecasts $4.48 Memorial Day

GasBuddy said on May 20 that U.S. gasoline prices could average $4.48 a gallon on Memorial Day, a level the fuel-price tracker said would be up from $3.14 a year earlier. CNBC reported the forecast on May 23 as Americans headed into the holiday weekend, when AAA expects nearly 45 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home. GasBuddy said the summer average could reach $4.80 a gallon from Memorial Day through Labor Day if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. In Oregon, local television station KTVZ reported on May 23 that record-high pump prices were already forcing some drivers to rethink holiday plans. ### How high is GasBuddy saying prices could go? GasBuddy’s May 20 forecast put the national average at $4.48 a gallon for Memorial Day and $4.80 a gallon for the summer driving season. The company said that would make 2026 the most expensive summer at the pump in years, with the possibility of record highs if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed for a significant part of the season. (gasbuddy.com) CNBC reported on May 23 that GasBuddy’s projection came as gasoline was already above $4 a gallon nationally and as airlines and drivers were facing higher fuel costs. AAA said on May 21 that the national average for regular gasoline stood at $4.56, up 3 cents from a week earlier and $1.38 above the same time last year. (gasbuddy.com) ### Why is the Strait of Hormuz in a U.S. gas-price forecast? GasBuddy tied its forecast to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping chokepoint for a large share of global oil flows. The company said the closure and the resulting hit to global oil supply were the main reason Memorial Day prices were projected to be $1.48 a gallon higher than a year earlier. (cnbc.com) Forbes reported on May 22 that GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said prices could exceed the prior U.S. record if the closure lasted another month. That report said De Haan expected gasoline to break the $5.03-a-gallon record high this summer under that scenario. ### How does this line up with Memorial Day travel demand? (gasbuddy.com) AAA said on May 19 that nearly 45 million Americans would travel over the five-day Memorial Day period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. Of those, 39.1 million were expected to travel by car, making driving the dominant mode even with fuel prices at four-year highs. (forbes.com) AAA said on May 21 that Memorial Day weekend gas prices were the highest in four years. The group’s travel forecast and gas-price update together showed that demand for holiday travel remained strong even as pump prices climbed. ### Where are drivers already feeling the pressure most? (newsroom.acg.aaa.com) Oregon drivers were already seeing some of the sharpest pressure by May 23. KTVZ reported from Bend that higher gasoline and grocery costs were affecting household budgets and Memorial Day travel plans across the state. (newsroom.aaa.com) KGW reported on May 20 that Oregon’s statewide average was about $5.32 a gallon and that roughly 620,000 Oregonians were expected to travel 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. A full fill-up for a typical tank could cost roughly $63 to $85, the station said. (ktvz.com) ### What should travelers watch next? Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2026, and GasBuddy’s forecast runs through Labor Day. The next data points to watch are daily national averages from AAA and GasBuddy, plus any update from GasBuddy on whether Strait of Hormuz disruptions continue to shape its summer price outlook. (newsroom.aaa.com) (kgw.com)