Memorial Day 2026: Drivers hit with painful gas price shock in four years

As Memorial Day is nearby, drivers have a new headache: high gas prices.

It is the first time reportedly in four years the travellers are facing soaring prices at the pumps.

In a report by AAA, the national average price for regular gas has shot up to $4.51 per gallon.

This is a shocking rise, as the report shares; last year the average price was just $2.66.

Now as the Memorial Day holiday is close, an expected 45 million Americans are set to travel on the road between May 21 and May 25.

So, millions, if not hundreds of millions, will face the pain of high gas prices.

Stung by such steep costs, some drivers are publicly expressing their frustration.

For example, a driver from Raymond who travels to Ocean Springs – her hometown – each year on the holiday is furious.

She says she will have to pay double the price for gas prices.

"I think it is crazy that it is almost one hundred dollars just to get home," GinnyRay Clevenger said.

The surge is attributed to rising tensions in the Middle East as a deal to end the war in Iran stalls.

Meanwhile, the global oil prices are yo-yoing between $106 and $111. 

Here are the average gas prices across New York

• Batavia - $4.59 
• Buffalo - $4.59 
• Elmira - $4.53 
• Ithaca - $4.60 
• Rochester - $4.59 
• Rome - $4.58 
• Syracuse - $4.58 
• Watertown - $4.63