Michigan gas prices at $3.31 average, lowest price since March

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
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Michigan’s average gas price, at 3.31 a gallon, is now the lowest it has been since March, and prices are even dipping, in some states, below $3 a gallon.

The auto club attributed the lower pump prices to lower gas demand, alongside declining oil prices, although one benchmark recently went up as a result of growing conflict in the Middle East.

States with gas averaging below $3 a gallon are Georgia, Mississippi and Texas. There could be more states soon, as some came close to $3 a gallon, and prices continue to plummet as the cooler temperatures discourage travel and put downward pressure on prices.

"Michigan motorists continue to see lower prices at the pump as gas prices drop to the lowest since early March," said Adrienne Woodland, AAA spokeswoman. "If oil prices continue to descend, drivers can expect further price drops at the pump in the weeks ahead."

In Michigan, the gasoline is down 9 cents a gallon from the week before, 37 cents from a month ago, and 65 cents from this time last year, with drivers paying, on average, $49 for a full 15-gallon tank.

"Average gasoline prices have fallen for a sixth straight week in nearly every state, with the national average now at its lowest level since March," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said. "The West Coast has been home to some of the largest declines, with California seeing an impressive 80-cent drop in the last four weeks, dispelling the myth that prices don’t fall as fast as they go up."

Gas demand decreased from 8.94 to 8.86 million barrels a day, while total domestic gasoline stocks increased slightly to 223.5 million barrels, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

However, West Texas Intermediate — a light, sweet crude oil that serves as a global oil benchmark — went up slightly, by $1.65, to settle at $85.29 a barrel, as a result of fears that the Israel-Hamas war could escalate soon.

Most expensive gas price averages in Michigan

  • Marquette: $3.45

  • Ann Arbor: $3.43

  • Traverse City: $3.41

Least expensive gas price averages

  • Flint: $3.20

  • Grand Rapids: $3.21

  • Benton Harbor: $3.27

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gas prices fall in Michigan, even as Mid-East conflict concerns rise