American road trip culture resilient despite rising gas prices.

The results and forecast from GasBuddy’s 2026 Summer Travel Survey show that American road trip culture is resilient despite rising gas prices to levels not seen in years.  According to GasBuddy, the national average will be $4.48 per gallon on Memorial Day, a significant increase from $3.14 per gallon a year ago. Depending on the political situation, it could average $4.80 per gallon from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with the potential for all-time record highs if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed for a sizable portion of the summer.