Michigan gas prices drop ahead of Thanksgiving travel, but could still set a record high

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
·1 min read
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Michigan gas prices dropped 23 cents from a week ago, an early holiday gift to folks planning to go long distances to visit relatives for Thanksgiving dinner.

The average price at the pump late Sunday for regular unleaded, according to AAA, was $3.81 per gallon. That's 31 cents less than a month ago. To fill up a 15-gallon tank, expect to pay about $57.

The national average was $3.67.

"Higher gas prices don’t seem to be enough to stop people from traveling to be with family and friends," said Adrienne Woodland, a AAA auto club spokeswoman. "We’ve found that when gas prices are high, travelers look to offset the added cost by spending less on a hotel, shopping or dining out."

Metro Detroit’s average was less, dropping 29 cents to just $3.65 per gallon.

  • The most expensive gas in the state: Jackson, $3.95 per gallon; Grand Rapids, $3.94, and Benton Harbor, $3.94.

  • The least expensive, in addition to metro Detroit: Ann Arbor, $3.80, and Lansing, $3.84.

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Still, according to AAA, the highest daily average price for Thanksgiving in Michigan was $3.61 per gallon in 2012.

Increasing supply and falling gasoline demand helped drive prices down. Demand decreased from 9.01 million barrels a day to 8.74 million, while at the same time domestic gasoline stocks rose by nearly 2.2 million barrels of crude oil to 207.9 million, according to the Energy Information Administration.

West Texas Intermediate decreased by $1.33 to $85.59.

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

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan gas prices drop 23 cents in time for Thanksgiving