Don't worry about filling plastic bags with fuel — your Memorial Day travel plans are secure

Waiting in line for gasoline — or stuffing trash bags with fuel — brings back memories of the early pandemic rush for toilet paper.

However, for many along the East Coast, this has been a reality since last week due to a pipeline shutdown that triggered a gas shortage in several states. The timing is particularly unfortunate: Millions are expected to travel in the coming weeks, driven by increasing vaccination rates and reopening initiatives.

Could this gas shortage disrupt your upcoming travel plans? Here’s why experts believe it likely won’t impact your road trip or Memorial Day plans.

What is causing the gas shortage?

Last Friday, the Colonial Pipeline was shut down due to a cyberattack.

This 5,500-mile pipeline, which transports gasoline and diesel from the Gulf Coast in Texas to New Jersey, is the primary fuel source for the East Coast. U.S. officials reported that it was taken offline on Friday following a ransomware attack. Consequently, several Southeastern states, including Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina, are experiencing gas shortages, according to industry observers.

The impact isn't limited to car travel. Travelers with flights to or from the region may have experienced changes to their itineraries. For instance, American Airlines had to modify some of its long-haul flights departing from Charlotte (CLT) to refuel.

What is the expected duration of the gas shortage?

The Colonial Pipeline resumed operations on Wednesday after being offline for six days, but the company indicated that it may take a few days for the supply chain to fully normalize. Reports suggest the company paid nearly $5 million in ransom to the hackers to restore service.

"If you're currently in the Southeastern states affected by the pipeline outage, it's best to remain where you are for the next few days and avoid driving if possible," advised Allison Mac, GasBuddy's director of marketing and communications, in an email to TPG. "Doing so would only complicate the situation and delay recovery efforts when they begin."

Mac expressed her belief that the hackers were sufficiently aware that Memorial Day marks the start of the summer travel season.

"This incident could not have occurred at a more 'convenient' moment," she remarked. "This year, especially, we can expect a rise in road trips due to COVID-19 recovery, the desire to get out and explore, while many still hesitate to fly."

The Colonial Pipeline announced on its website that it would prioritize markets "facing supply issues." The company stated on Wednesday that it had already transported millions of gallons to cities on the East Coast, such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Baltimore.

According to reports as recent as the afternoon of May 13, some of the hardest-hit regions include Washington, D.C., where 73% of gas stations are out of fuel, and North Carolina, with 68% of stations impacted. Shortages have also been noted as far north as New Jersey.

Despite the situation, experts emphasize the importance of remaining calm. This means refraining from rushing to the gas station unless necessary—and particularly avoiding the practice of filling plastic bags with gasoline. If you're on the road, experts recommend calling gas stations in advance to check for fuel availability.

Mac advised that "if you reside anywhere [outside of the Southeastern U.S.]," you need not be concerned about any shortages."

Will the fuel shortage impact my travel plans for Memorial Day?

The prospect of spending hours waiting in line for gas can be stressful. However, if you're planning to travel for Memorial Day, there's a strong chance you won't need to worry about it. You can thank the timing of the holiday for that.

Experts indicate that the ongoing gas shortage is not likely to disrupt Memorial Day travel. This is largely because the holiday occurs later than usual this year, on Monday, May 31, allowing the pipeline ample time to resume operations.

"By Memorial Day, this issue will be resolved, and it won't affect travel plans on the East Coast," stated Jeanette McGee, director of external communications at AAA, the largest motoring and leisure travel organization in North America. "Currently, there is plenty of gasoline available in the United States; the challenge lies in transportation."

McGee pointed out that delivering gasoline to the East Coast might face challenges due to a shortage of truck drivers, which arose from a decrease in demand for fuel during the pandemic. Additionally, one local station mentioned a shortage of instructors, as they tend to earn more when transporting other products.

Even in the absence of a driver shortage, immediate access to gas won't be available.

On Twitter, GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan, an industry expert, mentioned that the timeline for returning to normal depends on drivers' locations. Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi, and West Virginia can expect normalization within two to five days, according to De Haan's tweet. Meanwhile, drivers in Washington, D.C., Florida, Maryland, and Tennessee may experience improvements in five to twelve days.

The states hardest hit (Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas) might see delays of one to two weeks in their recovery. De Haan noted that the situation in these areas "will definitely require time and will gradually improve due to a high number of outages and the greater number of stations needing to be refueled."

Even once conditions return to normal, drivers should prepare for an especially busy Memorial Day, driven by pent-up travel demand. AAA data indicates that over 34 million people are expected to embark on Memorial Day road trips, with Las Vegas and Orlando being the most popular destinations. Notably, nine out of ten travelers will choose to drive instead of fly, according to the company.

The surge in demand has led to record-high gas prices, with the national average for regular gas now around $3.028 per gallon, a stark contrast to $1.861 at this time last year.

GasBuddy's Mac advises travelers, particularly those going out of state, to keep an eye on gas prices, as they can vary significantly from one state to another. For example, the average gas price in California is $4.13 per gallon, while Arizona's average is only $3.12 per gallon, as reported by GasBuddy.

Due to a persistent car rental shortage and the anticipated influx of drivers on the road, even without gas shortages, Memorial Day travelers may encounter numerous challenges this holiday season. In some areas, travelers have had to turn to U-Haul rentals or flatbed trucks from home improvement stores when traditional rental cars were either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

Key Takeaway

Although the Colonial Pipeline shutdown is frustrating for travelers, it is not expected to impact drivers during the Memorial Day weekend, and the effects of this situation should not extend to drivers outside the Southeastern U.S.

For the time being, experts recommend that drivers in affected states limit their trips to essential travel and refrain from panic-buying gasoline. Additionally, it's crucial not to place gasoline in anything other than containers specifically designed for fuel.