I expected this and topped up on gas over the weekend, fortunately I don't drive much so I can easily weather any fuel spikes for a couple weeks until I have to pick up the kids another state away next weekend. The Colonial Pipelines that feed the east coast are running at reduced capacities and only east of Lake Charles, but they're running. They're predicting full line back up and running on Sunday from Houston. That sent gas prices here in VA shooting up from $2.00 to $2.40 overnight, same as when they had the leaks earlier this year that cut delivery. Not good combined with the holiday weekend, I certainly wouldn't travel if I didn't have to (and I don't), but widespread shortages just aren't going to be happening and prices are still WAY below what they were throughout the recession.
I don't imagine 70's style lines around here, but certainly around the areas directly impacted by the storm you will, especially while electricity is still spotty. That's always common post hurricane, I've been through a few and know the pattern. Markets lash back and forth with inexperienced buyers thinking they can get in on windfall profits, really not the case since overall national consumption doesn't shift much at all and they drop back shortly thereafter. Short of catastrophic damage yet to come to one or more of the major refineries, prices will probably peak early next week and fall by next weekend.
The "Gas Buddy" app is a good one to use for finding best price in your area, and always helpful to enter in changes when you see them.
