Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in South Jersey — and for many families, that means a trip to the shore. But with gas prices hitting their highest levels since 2022, the question on everyone's mind is simple: Will the beaches be as packed as usual, or will high fuel costs keep people home?
As of this week, regular unleaded gasoline in South Jersey is running between $4.34 and $4.62 per gallon depending on location, according to AAA data. The New Jersey state average sits at $4.54 per gallon — up $0.21 in just one week and $1.56 higher than this time last year.
For a family of four making the drive from Cherry Hill to Ocean City, Wildwood, or Cape May, that extra cost adds up quickly when combined with food, lodging, and boardwalk expenses.
WHY ARE PRICES SO HIGH?
Gas prices don't rise in a vacuum. Five factors are converging right now to push prices higher:
Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. When global supply tightens, prices rise everywhere, including right here in South Jersey.
The United States has not built a major new oil refinery since 1977. Several older refineries have closed in recent years, and the remaining facilities are operating near full capacity. There's simply no room to surge production when demand spikes.
Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer driving season. Millions of Americans hit the road, demand for gasoline surges nationwide, and prices respond. Higher demand plus limited supply equals higher prices at every pump.
Federal environmental regulations require refineries to switch from winter-blend to summer-blend gasoline during warmer months. Summer-blend is less prone to evaporation but more expensive to produce — and the transition temporarily reduces refinery output, creating a supply squeeze that shows up directly at the pump.
Travel demand has remained strong in 2026 as Americans continue making up for lost trips during the pandemic years. More people on the road means more fuel consumed, which keeps upward pressure on prices through the entire summer season.
THE LOCAL IMPACT: SHORE TOWNS WATCHING CLOSELY
South Jersey shore towns — Ocean City, Wildwood, Cape May, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor — depend heavily on Memorial Day weekend to set the tone for the entire summer season. Business owners are watching closely to see whether high gas prices will keep visitors away.
Early indicators suggest many South Jersey families are still planning to make the trip, but some are adjusting their plans. Shorter stays are replacing long weekends. Groups of families are carpooling to split gas costs. And some are choosing beaches within a 30-minute drive instead of traveling an hour or more.
The question remains: Will Memorial Day 2026 crowds match previous years, or will $4.50 gas create a noticeable drop in shore traffic?
WHEN WILL PRICES DROP?
Industry analysts suggest gas prices typically ease by late May or early June once summer-blend production reaches full capacity and refineries stabilize output. However, the current situation involves both seasonal factors and geopolitical supply disruptions — which means prices could remain elevated longer than a typical seasonal spike.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that retail gas prices should decline modestly in the second half of 2026 as global crude oil prices ease — but that assumes no additional supply shocks. In short: prices are high now, and they'll likely stay high through at least early June.
