Woman Goes To Sam’s Club. Then She Realizes Everyone’s In Line For Gas: ‘Apparently Gas Is Going Up Tomorrow’

A woman says a warning about gas prices potentially rising sent her straight to Sam’s Club, where she found plenty of other drivers apparently had the same idea.

Brooke (@thelovelymsbrooke) recorded her video from her car while waiting in a long line of vehicles at the warehouse club’s gas station.

“So, apparently gas is going up tomorrow,” Brooke says in the video, which she uploaded to TikTok on Wednesday. “So, I decided to stop by Sam’s on my way home from work, and yeah, it’s a little thick around here.”

The camera then shows several cars lined up waiting for a pump. “If anybody needs some gas,” Brooke says, now is apparently the time to do it.

As an added precaution, and presumably to save some money, she says she normally fills up when her tank reaches the halfway point instead of waiting until she’s almost empty. As of this writing, her video has nearly 1,000 views.

Are Gas Prices Still Going Up?

Despite the panic Brooke documented at Sam’s Club, gas prices have actually been moving in the opposite direction recently.

According to ABC News, the national average price for a gallon of gas dropped 30 cents after hitting a recent peak on May 21, giving drivers some relief at the pump. But whether that trend continues depends heavily on what happens with the global oil market.

Part of the uncertainty comes down to oil prices. Since crude oil is the biggest factor in what drivers pay at the pump, any concerns about global supply disruptions, including the conflict involving Iran, can quickly change the outlook for gas prices.

That’s why rumors about rising prices—regardless of whether they’re accurate—can send drivers to the pump in a frenzy before anything actually changes. Gas prices do not always move immediately with the oil market, but some drivers would rather fill up early than wait and see if prices climb.

For now, though, drivers do not necessarily need to assume every warning means gas prices are about to skyrocket overnight. Prices vary significantly depending on location and the type of car you’re driving. 

That helps explain why Brooke wasn’t the only one waiting in line at Sam’s Club. When drivers think prices are about to jump, even saving a few cents per gallon can feel worth the extra stop, and warehouse clubs are known for cheaper fuel prices.

Brooke’s video suggests that the rush to fill up comes down to trying to beat an unpredictable market. With oil prices still reacting to supply concerns and global conflicts, things could always change.

Gas Price Concerns: ‘The Real Pain Hasn’t Started Yet’

Commenters who watched Brooke’s video were split over whether drivers should rush to the pump, with some saying they weren’t seeing prices rise where they lived.

“Gas been going down in Las Vegas, down 20 cents in 2 weeks at Sam’s,” one person wrote.

Others, however, suggested drivers should prepare for prices to climb.

“Get ready. The real pain hasn’t started yet. We’re still using reserves to keep it down,” another warned.

Some viewers said long lines at Sam’s Club were not necessarily unusual.

“My Sam’s always looks like this unless I go at 7 am,” one person shared.

To this, Brooke responded, “I live close, so I’ll swing by at random times so I don’t have to wait too long. The line moved pretty quick yesterday.”

Another viewer agreed that timing matters, adding, "Lol, I’m the 830-9 pm person to avoid the traffic.”

Others pushed back on the idea that Brooke was panic-buying gas.

“People are so programmed. Y’all not tired of playing their game yet?” one commenter said.

To this, Brooke clarified that she was following her usual routine.

“I was just doing my regular filling up by a half a tank,” she replied. “Wasn’t expecting this when I pulled up.”

And at least one viewer defended Sam’s Club fuel.

“Sam’s Club gasoline is not harmful to your engine....it just uses the EPA minimum required detergents vs higher quality detergents by top-tier companies,” they wrote. “I personally only use Shell bc I like the benefits of [having] a cleaner engine, and for the extra $ I can travel further on a single tank of gas than on [less] premium fuel brands, but Sam’s Club gasoline is very safe to use.”

Motor1 has reached out to Brooke via direct message on TikTok and Walmart, Sam’s Club’s parent company, through its online contact form. We’ll update this story if we hear back.