The national average price for regular gas increased again on Tuesday, climbing to $4.533 per gallon. It marked the third consecutive day of pump price increases, less than a week before the Memorial Day Weekend holiday, traditionally recognized as the beginning of the summer season. Gas prices have fluctuated between $4.50 and $4.56 per gallon for the last few weeks as the war with Iran and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue to send fuel costs soaring. On Sunday, the national average price for gas was $4.513 per gallon. This remained steady on Monday with an ever-so-slight increase to $4.515 per gallon, before rising to Tuesday’s high, according to AAA. However, eight days ago, gas averaged $4.52 per gallon, and a week ago, it decreased to $4.504 per gallon. Earlier in May, gas prices rose by more than 30 cents per gallon in a week, pushing the national average from $4.176 to $4.483. And while prices have risen and fallen in the last week, the national average price currently remains slightly lower than the 2026 high of $4.56 per gallon set last week, according to AAA.
Gas price fluctuations are nothing new in 2026, as the national average has ranged from below $2.80 per gallon to over $4.50 per gallon this year. Since gas prices fell to $2.79 per gallon on Jan. 12, a five-year low, fuel costs have gradually risen, as mentioned above. Initially, winter weather nationwide was blamed for rising fuel costs, as snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production. However, fuel prices began to soar after the Iran war began.
