GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Michiganders can finally expect some relief at the pump.
Drivers statewide are now paying an average of $3.47 per gallon for unleaded. That's 12 cents less than last week, 25 cents less than last month and 75 cents less than last year, AAA says.
For a full 15-gallon tank, drivers are paying an average of $52, a $26 discount from 2022's peak price in June.
In Grand Rapids specifically, prices are 16 cents less than a month ago and 80 cents less than a year ago. The cheapest gas station in the area on Oct. 15 had prices at $3.23 per gallon, and the most expensive at $3.79 per gallon.
Last year, Grand Rapids had the highest annual gas price average in the last decade at $4.28 per gallon.
After Hamas attacked Israel last week, oil prices rose sharply. In the days following, prices slowly dropped, and this could be due to tepid demand. Total domestic gas stocks fell by 1.3 million bbl to 225.7 million bbl.
"Michigan motorists are seeing much lower gas prices, with the state average down 25 cents in the past two weeks," said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group. "If oil prices continue to decline, drivers can expect further price drops at the pump in the weeks ahead."
The most expensive gas prices in the state belong to Marquette at $3.58, Jackson at $3.57 and Traverse City at $3.54.
The least expensive are in Benton Harbor at $3.40, Flint $3.42 and Metro Detroit at $3.45.
"While the price of oil jumped some 5% last week, I remain steadfast that additional declines are coming to gasoline prices the way the situation stands now, but remain cautious that this depends on actions that are not foreseeable, mainly the conflict in the Middle East," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
"For now, the national average is likely to soon fall to its lowest level in six months. Some areas of the Great Lakes could see a price cycle in the next few weeks, which is typical after long declines as stations often pass along the drops there faster than anywhere else. I believe the national average still has some 15-35 cents of declining to do the way things stand now," said De Haan.
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