Gas prices continue to rise across the country just days before Memorial Day Weekend, the traditionally recognized beginning of summer and the summer driving season. Fuel costs rose to $4.55 per gallon on Wednesday, slowly approaching the current 2026 high of $4.56 per gallon. Gas prices typically increase during this time of year, though the expected summer jump in fuel costs was mostly avoided in 2025.It was the fourth straight day of increases at the pumps for the nation’s drivers. Wednesday’s pricing was over 2 cents per gallon higher than on Tuesday, when gas was $4.533. It also marks a 51 cent per gallon increase for regular gas in a month, according to AAA. Earlier this month, fuel costs rose by more than 30 cents per gallon in a week, pushing the national average from $4.176 to $4.483. Gas prices have fluctuated between $4.50 and $4.56 per gallon over the last few weeks as the war with Iran and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue to push prices higher at the pump. 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. Yet a week ago, a gallon of regular gas was slightly cheaper, at $4.511.