"This summer, in terms of average gas prices, will likely be the highest since 2014," said Patrick DeHaan, petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, a fuel-tracking app. "There's been very little question about that."

Crude prices have jumped thanks to continuing production cuts by major exporters. As a result, gasoline is also becoming more expensive. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, average regular retail gas prices reached $2.70 a gallon last week—the highest level since 2015.

While higher fuel prices could herald an end to the glut that has plagued the energy marketsince 2014, they also threaten to dampen demand and hit consumers in their pocketbooks.