Question: 
I see almost everyone these days bringing their own gas cans to fill up in the USA since they're being gouged royally at the pumps here. Are they allowed (legally) to transport these containers inside the trunk of their car?
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
I followed up on the question with CVSE who are generally the best source of transportation of dangerous goods information in my experience.
How Many Gas Cans
The response was that you may carry up to 150 liters of gasoline in approved containers whose capacity is no more than 30 litres each.
"Gasoline must be in one or more containers designed, constructed, filled, closed, secured and maintained so that under normal conditions of transport, including handling, there will be no accidental release of the dangerous goods that could endanger public safety."
Over the Limit
Transporting amounts greater than that or amounts in containers larger than that would mean having to comply with the requirements such training, manifests, placards and emergency information you would associate with commercial carriers.
Danger of Fire
There is some risk in carrying gas cans in the trunk. If you are involved in a rear end collision the possibility of a fire is significant.
If the cans are left in the trunk during the heat of the summer, any leak will allow fumes to escape into the vehicle and the introduction of any spark (think electric door locks) could result in an explosion.
Make sure that you fill the gas can by amount. If you put 25 litres in a container designed to hold 25 litres there will be sufficient expansion space left to minimize problems caused by expansion.
Needless to say, breathing the fumes is not good for your health.
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