GasBuddy, the fuel savings platform empowering drivers to choose their road to savings, today released its 2026 Summer Travel Survey results and forecast, revealing that American road trip culture is showing resilience even as gas prices surge to levels not seen in years.
GasBuddy forecasts the national average will reach $4.48 per gallon on Memorial Day, up sharply from $3.14 per gallon a year ago, and could average $4.80 per gallon over the summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day*, with the possibility of all-time record highs if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a significant portion of the summer.
Despite the price surge, 56% of Americans still plan to drive more than two hours this summer, though that's down from 69% last year — a meaningful shift reflecting the financial strain on travelers. Of those still hitting the road, 38% expect to drive more than five hours to their destinations, and the majority plan multiple trips.
