Gas Prices Today: What Drivers Should Know Before Filling Up

National gas averages $4.09, but your state's price could be half that or 40% higher depending on location and taxes.

National gas averages $4.09, but your state's price could be half that or 40% higher depending on location and taxes.

Gas prices surged 43% in May 2026 due to Middle East supply disruption, with forecasts ranging from under $3 to over $6 per gallon for the year.

Crude oil, refinery constraints, and seasonal fuel rules have created a summer 2026 price environment that will strain household budgets through September.

Iran's Strait blockade has already pushed gas prices up 38% since February, with no relief expected until early 2027.

Oil prices surge past $90 per barrel, forcing American families to choose between driving and saving as gas stations raise prices daily.

Pump prices dropped 30 cents off the May peak, but federal forecasts and analyst warnings suggest the slide could reverse before July 4.

Pump prices are 43% higher than last year, with a 54% spike since February driven by geopolitical supply fears.

The national average gas price has fallen to $4.12 per gallon after spiking to $4.55 in May, though California drivers pay nearly double the Midwest average.

AAA recorded national gas prices at $4.54-$4.55 per gallon on May 9, 2026, marking the second week of consecutive increases in a year where prices had climbed 43.6% compared to May 2025.

Gas prices are trending downward but regional costs still vary by $2.46 per gallon, depending on where you fill up for weekend drives.