Michigan motorists are digging a bit deeper into their wallets this week, as the state sees an uptick in gas prices. According to The Detroit News, the average price of gas has risen by 4 cents, now sitting at $3.25 per gallon for regular unleaded. This marks a 26-cent increase from the figure reported last month and offers a negligible relief of 5 cents from the same period a year ago.
Supporting this upward trajectory, WILX News 10 highlights the cost difference within Lansing itself. The cheapest station was found offering gas at $2.95 per gallon, while the most expensive station hit $3.49, reflecting a substantial 54-cent gap in the local market. With gas prices projected to float around their current marks as refineries begin seasonal maintenance, "Michigan motorists are seeing slightly higher prices at the pump compared to last week," Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA-The Auto Club Group, was quoted in multiple reports.
Demand, however, appears stable, leveling off demand in the face of a dwindling supply. Recent data from the Energy Information Administration, as noted by TV6 News Team, indicates that demand lingered at 8.2 million barrels per day while total domestic gasoline stocks dipped slightly. "Flat demand, amid falling supply, has helped to stabilize the national average," the report explained. The broader economic context includes the fact that international concerns, such as ongoing conflicts near the Red Sea, have led to unease over potential disruptions in shipping routes.
The national picture offers a slight reprieve; GasBuddy reported a minor national dip in gas prices, falling by 1.9 cents per gallon over the last week to a national average of $3.24. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, suggested the current stability might not persist, stating, "It’s likely only a matter of time before we see the rise re-engage and prices start to go higher again." Amidst this, Michigan's Metro Detroit area hovers close to the state average, currently at $3.24 per gallon, while areas such as Saginaw, Lansing, and Ann Arbor experience the steepest prices ranging from $3.26 to $3.27 per gallon.
