The national average price for regular gas continued its 2026 fluctuations on Tuesday, falling by seven cents in five days to $4.491 per gallon. Fuel costs decreased over Memorial Day weekend, when typically the opposite occurs, after gas prices reached a new high for the year last Thursday at $4.564 per gallon. With the latest pricing on Tuesday, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas is lower than a week ago, when it was $4.533 per gallon. On Monday, Memorial Day, the national average price for gas was $4.507 per gallon, down from Sunday’s price. Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer driving season, which usually means an increase at the pumps.
Gas prices have increased and decreased several times over the last few weeks, typically in response to news about the war in Iran. Over Memorial Day weekend, there were reports that a possible deal to end the conflict was imminent, which could have contributed to the decline in prices. Previously, as tensions appeared to be increasing in the middle of last week, with the Strait of Hormuz still closed, and prospects for a deal to end the war bleak, gas prices increased. The military conflict with Iran has driven gas prices up from $2.98 per gallon on Feb. 28, when Operation Epic Fury began.
