GasBuddy Says This Will Be the Most Expensive Summer at the Pump in Years. What Miami Gardens Drivers Need to Know.
Florida gas hit $4.50 on May 7, the highest daily average since July 2022. GasBuddy says it's going to get worse before it gets better.
GasBuddy released its 2026 summer forecast this morning, and the headline is blunt: this will be the most expensive summer at the pump in years. The national average is projected to hit $4.48 per gallon by Memorial Day (next Monday), up $1.48 from the same day last year. The summer average from Memorial Day through Labor Day is forecast at $4.80 per gallon, with possible all-time record highs above $5.00 if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed through the season.
Florida is already feeling it. The statewide average surged to $4.50 per gallon on May 7, the highest daily average since July 2022. It has since eased slightly to $4.43 after reports of possible U.S.-Iran negotiations, but it's still $1.48 higher than this time last year and $1.64 more than before the strikes on Iran began in late February.
For Miami Gardens, where most households depend on at least one car for daily life, these aren't abstract numbers. They're a direct hit to monthly budgets that were already stretched by rising housing costs, insurance premiums, and grocery prices.
How we got here: the timeline
| Date | Event | FL Gas Price |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 28 | U.S./Israel strikes on Iran begin | $2.79 |
| Mar 3 | Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed | $3.49 |
| Mar 10 | Crude oil tops $100/barrel | $3.97 |
| Apr 7 | Brent crude hits $138/barrel (peak) | ~$4.30 |
| Apr 13 | Trump announces Navy blockade of Strait | ~$4.35 |
| May 1 | UAE leaves OPEC, reducing spare capacity | ~$4.40 |
| May 7 | Florida daily average peaks | $4.50 |
| May 20 | GasBuddy summer forecast released | $4.43 |
The core problem hasn't changed. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20-25% of global seaborne oil. It has been effectively closed since early March. The U.S. Navy is enforcing a blockade. The EIA's May outlook assumes the Strait will begin reopening in late May or early June, but even in that optimistic scenario, it projects that pre-conflict production and trade patterns won't resume until late 2026 or early 2027. Sub-$3 gas, according to GasBuddy, is "unlikely to return for many months, possibly more than a year."
What this costs a Miami Gardens household
At $4.43 per gallon, filling a 15-gallon tank costs $66.45. Before the conflict, that same fill-up was $41.85. That's an extra $24.60 every time you pull up to the pump.
For a two-car household filling up weekly, the math adds up fast:
| Metric | Before (Feb 2026) | Now (May 2026) | Monthly Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per fill-up (15 gal) | $41.85 | $66.45 | +$24.60 |
| Weekly (2 cars) | $83.70 | $132.90 | +$49.20 |
| Monthly (2 cars) | $334.80 | $531.60 | +$196.80 |
| Annual projection | $4,018 | $6,379 | +$2,362 |
An extra $197 per month on gas alone. For a household earning Miami Gardens' median income of $64,362, that's roughly 3.7% of annual take-home pay going to a single line item that doubled in less than three months. Add in the ripple effects (higher delivery costs pushing up grocery prices, higher Uber/Lyft fares, more expensive everything that moves by truck), and the total impact on household budgets is significantly larger than the pump price alone.
GasBuddy's survey found that 56% of Americans still plan to drive more than two hours this summer, down from 69% last year. That 13-point drop represents millions of people changing their plans because of fuel costs. In Miami Gardens, the impact is more personal: it's the parent who skips the weekend trip to Hollywood Beach because the gas to get there and back costs $15. It's the commuter who starts carpooling. It's the resident in Belle Glade who told CBS12 she now takes the bus to work because she can't afford to fill her tank.
How to spend less at the pump right now
Use GasBuddy or Waze before every fill-up. Prices vary $0.30-$0.50 between stations within a few miles of each other. Costco on NW 167th Street and Sam's Club consistently price below the market average. Even without a warehouse membership, checking an app before filling saves $3-$7 per tank.
Fill up on Monday or Tuesday. Florida gas prices tend to be lowest early in the week and highest Thursday through Saturday. A Tuesday fill-up can save $0.05-$0.15 per gallon compared to a Friday visit to the same station.
Stack grocery fuel rewards. Publix and Winn-Dixie fuel points programs are free to join and can save $0.10-$0.50 per gallon. On a 15-gallon fill-up, $0.50 off per gallon is $7.50 saved.
Check tire pressure this week. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2-3%. Correct pressure (listed on the driver's door placard, not the tire sidewall) costs $1 at an air pump and saves $20-$30 per month.
Combine every trip. A cold engine burns 12-15% more fuel per mile in the first few minutes. Three separate errands cost significantly more in gas than one loop. Plan your route before you leave.
Why the free World Cup shuttle matters more than ever
The first World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium is 26 days away. At $4.43 per gallon (and climbing toward $4.80 by GasBuddy's forecast), every trip to the stadium that doesn't require a car saves meaningful money.
The Miami Game Day Express shuttle is free for ticket holders from four regional hubs. The math over seven matches:
| Option | Cost per Match Day | Cost for 7 Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Free shuttle from Golden Glades | $0 | $0 |
| Drive + gas (round trip) | $10-$15 | $70-$105 |
| Drive + parking | $50-$100 | $350-$700 |
| Rideshare (with surge) | $60-$120 | $420-$840 |
For Miami Gardens residents, the Golden Glades hub is a 10-minute drive south, in the opposite direction of stadium traffic. Park there, shuttle in, shuttle back. You save gas, parking, and stress. At $4.80 summer gas, those savings add up to $400-$800 over the tournament compared to driving.
When will it get better?
The EIA's most recent outlook assumes the Strait of Hormuz begins reopening in late May or early June. If that happens, relief at the pump would start arriving within weeks, though a full return to pre-conflict levels could take through late 2026 or into 2027.
If the Strait stays closed through the summer, GasBuddy warns prices could set all-time records above $5.00 per gallon. At that level, the annual extra cost for a two-car Miami Gardens household would exceed $3,000.
The practical advice stays the same whether prices ease or climb further: reduce what you can, optimize every fill-up, and take the shuttle to any Hard Rock Stadium event instead of driving. What you can't control globally, you adapt to locally.
Frequently asked questions
How much is gas in Florida right now?
The Florida statewide average is approximately $4.43 per gallon as of May 20, 2026, down slightly from a peak of $4.50 on May 7. GasBuddy forecasts the national average will reach $4.48 by Memorial Day and average $4.80 over the summer, with possible $5+ if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Why are gas prices so high in 2026?
U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran beginning February 28 led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20-25% of global seaborne oil. The U.S. Navy is enforcing a blockade. Brent crude oil hit $138 per barrel in April. The UAE left OPEC on May 1, reducing global spare production capacity. The EIA projects the Strait may begin reopening in late May or early June, but full recovery could take through late 2026 or early 2027.
Where is the cheapest gas near Miami Gardens?
Costco on NW 167th Street and Sam's Club consistently price below the market average. Use GasBuddy or Waze before every fill-up to compare real-time prices. Fill up on Monday or Tuesday when prices tend to be lowest. Grocery fuel rewards from Publix and Winn-Dixie can save an additional $0.10-$0.50 per gallon.
Will gas prices go down before the World Cup?
Unlikely to drop significantly. The EIA projects the Strait of Hormuz may begin reopening in late May or early June, which could ease prices gradually. However, GasBuddy forecasts a $4.80 national summer average through Labor Day. Sub-$3 gas may not return for a year or more regardless of geopolitical developments. The free Miami Game Day Express shuttle to Hard Rock Stadium eliminates fuel costs for World Cup match days.
Sources: GasBuddy 2026 Summer Travel Survey (released May 20, 2026), AAA, CBS12, EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (May 2026), FactCheck.org, NBC Miami. See also: cost of living guide, free World Cup shuttle guide, insurance guide. Published: May 20, 2026.
