by Detroit, Michigan – Michigan drivers are feeling a pinch at the pump this week as gas prices climbed 14 cents higher than last week, reaching an average of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded, according to a Monday update from AAA – The Auto Club Group.
Michigan Gas Prices See a Significant Jump
The statewide average is now 13 cents more than a month ago and 6 cents higher than this time last year, AAA reported. That means Michigan motorists are paying around $46 for a full 15-gallon tank, a noticeable increase heading into the colder months.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s average gas price also crept upward by 7 cents over the past week, landing at $3.05 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 1,734 gas stations across the city. GasBuddy data shows prices in Detroit are 14 cents higher than last month, but still 3 cents lower than this time last year.
Experts Point to Refinery Issues and Supply Drops
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said the increase is part of a wider national trend, as prices in most states moved upward last week.
“The national average price of gasoline edged higher last week, with the vast majority of states seeing prices climb,” De Haan explained.
“Refinery issues in the Great Lakes and West Coast have kept prices elevated, and gasoline inventory data from the government showed another large weekly drop in supplies, which has temporarily propped up prices.”
De Haan added that with thousands of flight cancellations ahead of Thanksgiving due to FAA flight cuts, there may be a small shift in gasoline demand, which could limit any near-term declines.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Gas in Michigan
According to GasBuddy, the cheapest gas station in Detroit was listed at $2.59 per gallon, while the lowest price statewide stood at $2.53. On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive price in Detroit — and across Michigan — reached $4.09 per gallon.
National Trends and Diesel Prices
Nationally, the average price for gasoline on Monday was $3.03 per gallon, GasBuddy reported. That figure is up 5 cents from last week, down 4 cents from a month ago, and 1 cent higher than last year.
AAA data showed a slightly higher national average of $3.07, with metro Detroit also averaging $3.07 per gallon — 7 cents more than last week but 4 cents less than last year.
For diesel, the average climbed 7 cents in the past week, standing at $3.72 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.
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Price Differences Across Michigan
Gas prices continue to vary widely across regions in Michigan:
- Most Expensive: Ann Arbor ($3.17), Saginaw ($3.16), and Lansing ($3.15)
- Least Expensive: Traverse City ($2.85), Marquette ($2.91), and Flint ($3.06)
AAA Urges Drivers to Prepare for Price Fluctuations
AAA Michigan spokesperson Adrienne Woodland said the recent jump in prices comes as the state average once again crosses the $3-per-gallon threshold.
“Drivers across Michigan are seeing higher prices at the pump compared to a week ago, with the state average crossing above $3 a gallon once again,” Woodland said in a statement.
With the holiday travel season approaching, experts say motorists should brace for potential fluctuations depending on refinery output, weather conditions, and national demand trends.
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