Drivers in Michigan have found themselves reaching slightly deeper into their pockets this week, with gas prices seeing a 6-cent increase from last week, placing the average at $3.09 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel. This information comes from the American Automobile Association (AAA), a consistent monitor of fuel prices. Despite the recent jump, the current average still signifies a 13-cent drop compared to the previous month and a 27-cent fall from last year's figures, as noted by The Detroit News.
While average prices in the entire state may have lifted, Metro Detroit has seemingly defied the overall trend, experiencing a decrease in gas prices. Motorists in this area are now paying an average of $3.06 per gallon, a nickel less than last week, and a substantial 37 cents cheaper than the same time last year. This data was detailed by WXYZ, capturing the ever-dynamic landscape of fuel costs.
The auto club group AAA has highlighted that Michigan's gas prices, although tapping a bit higher this week, are still beneath the national average, which sits at $3.13 per gallon. "Drivers are now, on average, paying $46 for a full 15-gallon tank of gas, saving $11 from last year's peak prices," according to WXYZ. In terms of regional disparities, Benton Harbor, Ann Arbor, and Saginaw are currently witnessing the steepest gas prices, while places like Traverse City, Marquette, and Grand Rapids enjoy some of the lowest averages in the state.
The EIA's recent data suggested a dip in gasoline demand, from 8.95 million b/d to 8.51 million, while the total domestic gasoline supply saw an increase. Interestingly, gasoline production managed to decrease last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels per day. Even as the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil settled at $61.78 a barrel following a decline, the EIA reported that crude oil inventories had seen a rise of 1.8 million barrels from the previous week. To provide a local perspective, Dickinson County has the lowest rate at $2.80 per gallon, and Mackinac County has the highest at $3.34, as indicated by Upper Michigan's Source.
