Gas Price Crisis Grips US Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
As millions of Americans prepare to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, a perfect storm of geopolitical turmoil, domestic political infighting, and supply chain disruption has driven gasoline prices to historic highs. The national average for a gallon of regular gas stood at $4.55 as of May 22, according to The Guardian, up roughly $1.50 from pre-war levels of around $3.00. In California, the situation is far more acute, with prices averaging $6.14 per gallon — the highest in the nation.
The Iran War and the Strait of Hormuz
The root cause of the price surge is the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, which began in late February 2026. The conflict has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage in the Persian Gulf through which approximately 20% of the world’s crude oil — about 20 million barrels per day — normally passes. Oil tankers remain stranded, unable to deliver crude to global markets.
According to AP News, prices at the pump have swelled nationwide since the war began, launching a global energy crisis. The price of crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline, has climbed steadily as the blockade persists.
Experts warn that even if the conflict ended immediately, a return to pre-war prices is unlikely this year. Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst at Dow Jones Energy, told The Guardian: “For retail prices to drop $1.50, I think we could kiss that number goodbye for 2026.” David Ruisard, US products senior editor at Argus Media, estimates a recovery timeline of six months to two years, citing the need to inspect and repair potentially damaged energy infrastructure in the Middle East and unsnarl supply chains.
California’s Unique Crisis: Newsom vs. Chevron
While the Iran war drives national prices upward, California faces an additional, self-inflicted crisis. Governor Gavin Newsom and Chevron are locked in a public feud over who bears responsibility for the state’s sky-high gas prices, which are nearly $1.60 above the national average.
On May 21, Newsom’s office posted on X urging drivers to boycott Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend. “Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines,” the post read. “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name.”
Chevron responded by posting signs at hundreds of California gas stations blaming Sacramento’s policies. “California politicians are choosing foreign oil and fuels over local jobs and lower costs,” the signs read, according to CBS News. The signs feature a QR code directing drivers to a Chevron webpage asking them to “speak up for affordable, reliable energy.”
The feud is the latest chapter in a long-running battle. In 2023, Newsom signed a law allowing the state’s energy commission to penalize oil companies for excess profits, declaring the state had “finally beat big oil.” But regulators voted last year to delay those penalties until 2030. Chevron, meanwhile, moved its headquarters from San Ramon to Houston in 2024, ending a 145-year presence in California.
Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court told CBS News that Chevron made $1.11 off every gallon of gas that came out of its refineries in March 2026. “Their retail stations are charging much more than the Costcos,” Court said. “When you’re paying a dollar more for the same gas at Chevron than you’re paying at Costco, you know these major brands are making an awful lot of money.”
California’s gas tax of approximately 70 cents per gallon — the highest in the nation — and its requirement for a special CARB cleaner-burning fuel blend add further pressure. The state has also lost 18% of its refining capacity in less than a year, with two refineries announcing closures.
Memorial Day Travel Under Threat
Despite the soaring costs, AAA projects that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25, potentially setting a new Memorial Day weekend record, as reported by Fox News. But the financial strain is forcing many families to rethink their plans.
Airlines are also feeling the squeeze. Jet fuel prices have surged during the Iran war, and carriers are passing costs on to consumers. Airfares in April 2026 were 21% higher than a year earlier, according to the Labor Department. United Airlines raised its first checked bag fee from $40 to $50, while Delta increased its fee from $35 to $45, as reported by AP News.
Travel rewards programs are taking a hit as well. Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, told AP News that “dynamic award pricing, higher redemption rates on some domestic routes, and added fees have made it harder to find the outsized deals that travelers enjoyed a decade ago.”
Diesel prices have climbed to $5.65 per gallon, up about $2.10 over the past year, raising concerns about broader inflationary ripple effects on shipping, freight, and public transportation.
Political Implications and the Road Ahead
The gas price crisis is shaping up as a major political vulnerability for President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The White House has rolled out extraordinary measures to ease the pain: authorizing the release of 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, floating a federal gas tax holiday, and temporarily waiving the Jones Act to speed fuel shipments between US ports.
But Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, warns that predicting prices is nearly impossible amid the volatility. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the national average could creep toward $5 per gallon and potentially surpass records.
Even in the best-case scenario — an immediate ceasefire — the road to recovery will be long. Countries like Pakistan, India, South Korea, and Japan may begin building new strategic reserves to protect against future disruptions, keeping global demand elevated. For American drivers hoping for a return to $3 gas, experts say the wait will likely extend well into 2027.
What to Watch For
As Memorial Day weekend unfolds, all eyes remain on the Strait of Hormuz and any signs of diplomatic progress in the Iran conflict. In California, the Newsom-Chevron battle shows no signs of cooling, with both sides digging in ahead of what promises to be a long, expensive summer at the pump.