How to Keep Your Summer Road Trip Plans with Gas Prices at Four Year High

AAA put the national average for regular gasoline at $4.56 a gallon on May 21, 2026, the highest Memorial Day weekend level in four years. For families already managing tight budgets, that extra cost per fill-up can quickly eat into vacation spending — or make a road trip feel out of reach altogether.

Summer road trips are a beloved American tradition, but this year families are heading out with gas prices at levels not seen since 2022. The good news is that with a few smart habits, drivers can fight back at the pump — and those savings can add up to real money over the course of a long summer.

Plan Your Route and Leave on Time

Getting stuck in traffic is one of the fastest ways to burn through gas. Try to set off on time or early. In the event of a traffic jam or other delay, you'll have a much less stressful drive and won't feel the urge to speed, which is the worst thing you can do for mileage.

Navigation apps are helpful but not always perfect. Nav systems don't always provide the most direct route, nor are they 100% reliable. Taking a few minutes to plan your trip ahead of time — and knowing what to expect along the way — can help you avoid costly detours through expensive fuel corridors or tourist towns where prices climb.

Slow Down and Use Cruise Control

This tip costs nothing and can save a meaningful amount over a long trip. Getting into the habit of driving slowly and setting cruise control to 55 mph on the highway — rather than pushing 70 or 80 mph like many other drivers — produces significant gas savings. It's really one of the best things you can do for mileage.

Skip Premium Gas and Fuel Additives

Many drivers assume premium fuel is always better. For most cars, it isn't. Unless your car pings or knocks, or your owner's manual specifically recommends premium gas, the cheaper grade is just fine. Also, skip any product that claims to deliver better mileage by adding it to your gas tank — such products have been proven, time and again, to have zero effect on fuel economy, and some have actually been found to decrease miles per gallon.

Pay Cash When It Saves You Money

It's tempting to just pay the extra cost of using a credit or debit card at the pump, but withdrawing a set amount of cash specifically for gasoline purchases means more of those dollars stay in your pocket rather than going to oil companies. Many stations charge several cents more per gallon for card transactions — a cost that adds up across multiple fill-ups on a long trip.

Keep Your Car in Good Shape

A well-running car burns fuel more efficiently. Getting your car tuned up regularly, changing your oil at recommended intervals, and following the recommendations in your owner's manual all make a difference.

Before hitting the road, check your tires. Making sure your tires are properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%, according to the Department of Energy. If you don't know how to do it or don't want to mess with it, a local tire shop will often do it for you if they're not busy.

Consider Renting for a Road Trip

If your vehicle gets under 15 miles per gallon, it might be cheaper to rent a car — both because of the better mileage you can get and because you'll save wear and tear on your main ride. Developing relationships with local rental outlets may help you negotiate a good deal.

Use Apps to Find Cheaper Gas Along Your Route

GasBuddy, AAA, Google Maps, Waze, and similar tools can help locate cheaper stations nearby or along a route. GasBuddy, for example, can show station prices, map road trips, and track fuel usage.

The key is using these tools strategically. The trick is not to chase a three-cent discount 11 miles off course. Search ahead, especially before entering expensive corridors, remote areas, or tourist towns where fuel prices tend to be much higher. Even driving state-to-state, prices can vary widely — any city is generally going to charge more, sometimes a lot more.

The Bottom Line

Gas prices at a four-year high don't have to derail your family's summer plans. Applied consistently across a summer of driving can add up to hundreds of dollars saved — money that stays in your pocket and goes toward the parts of the trip that actually matter.