Gas prices: Fuel costs creep up again days away from Memorial Day Weekend

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