DETROIT – Michigan gas prices are closing in on 2026 record highs, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and maintenance issues at two Great Lakes-area refineries -- and drivers are already changing how they get around.
GasBuddy reports the average price for regular unleaded gas jumped from $3.78 to $4.19 between April 21 and April 28 -- a 41-cent increase in just seven days. The fuel-tracking company is predicting Michigan could see a total price hike of 65 cents a gallon this week.
Riders fill SMART buses as pump prices climb
In Wixom, the morning commute starts early.
Route 805 departs from the 12-Beck Park and Ride before reaching its final destination in Detroit. It winds through communities, including Redford Township.
Riders say the bus is getting more crowded.
“There’s been a few more people on the bus,” said Jeff Blaisdel, a SMART rider. “Usually, you get your own seat. But there’s not any extra seats anymore.”
Most of these SMART riders say they regularly commute by bus to avoid paid parking downtown.
Saving gas is just an added bonus.
Audricka Grandison, another SMART rider, says she fills up her car only about every two and a half weeks.
For Chris Nuth, the decision to switch from his SUV to DDOT was brand new. When a Local 4 crew met him, it was day one of riding public transit.
“It’s just economical right now,” Nuth said. “Right now, with the price of gas and with everything, you just have to be careful.”
The Detroit Department of Transportation told Local 4 it has seen roughly an 8 percent increase in ridership compared to the same time last year, but it couldn’t attribute the rise to any specific cause.
Despite a particularly cold and snowy winter, SMART experienced notable ridership growth this year. January ridership increased by 4.8% compared to the previous year, with even larger gains of 14.1% in February and 13.8% in March.
Refinery issues add pressure on top of Iran tensions
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, adding ongoing pressure to fuel prices. Yet, geopolitical tensions are not the only driver of this week’s spike.
Two refineries in the Great Lakes region are contributing to the crunch. The Phillips 66 refinery near St. Louis in Illinois is undergoing scheduled maintenance. Meanwhile, the BP refinery in Northwest Indiana unexpectedly lost power overnight recently due to what BP describes as a systems-related issue which is triggering a major flaring event.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says the convergence of these factors is significant.
“The bottom line for motorists is that we could continue to see prices tiptoeing higher every week or two until the situation with Iran, specifically the Strait of Hormuz, is reopened,” De Haan said.
Michigan gas prices reached $4.29 a gallon as of Monday, matching the previous 2026 high-water mark. De Haan says another jump is possible later this week if oil prices continue to rally.
On Monday, West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil was trading at about $97 a barrel as of the interview. Brent Crude Oil -- another major benchmark -- was sitting at about $109 a barrel.
“Without any drastic improvements, we could continue to see prices going up a few dollars every day or two, and that could push us back above the $100 mark,” De Haan said.
Drivers feeling the pinch beyond just the pump
For some, the financial squeeze extends well beyond gas. Kris Golding, who works for G Fence, says he is spending between $200 and $300 a week on fuel and absorbing all of it.
“I’m about ready to buy a horse and buggy,” Golding said. “I got kids at home. I’ve got to feed them, too, because even grocery prices are going up. It’s not even just gas. In order to put gas in the vehicle to provide for the household, you know, you’ve got to make check prices on other things.”
Golding says the spike brings back painful memories of the COVID-era surge, when unleaded gas approached $5 a gallon.
Ways to stretch your fuel dollar
Drivers with flex-fuel vehicles -- sometimes labeled FFV or badged as a flex-fuel vehicle -- may have an option at the pump. E85, a blend of gasoline and up to 85 percent ethanol, is typically priced $1 to $2 less per gallon than regular gasoline.
De Haan cautions that E85 comes with a trade-off.
“E85 generally has about 20 to 25 percent less energy content than traditional gasoline,” he said. “Those who are filling up with E85 will probably see a reduction of about 20 to 25 percent in the amount of miles they get per tank.”
He adds that only flex-fuel vehicles are approved to run on E85, so drivers should check their owner’s manual or contact their dealer before switching.
Beyond fuel type, De Haan offered several tips for improving fuel efficiency:
- Slow down on the highway. Dropping from 70 mph to 65 mph can add 50 to 100 miles per tank -- the equivalent of a couple of gallons.
- Accelerate slowly and use cruise control.
- Remove excess weight from the vehicle.
- Keep tires properly inflated and address any check engine lights promptly.
- Use apps like GasBuddy or Google Maps to find lower prices nearby.
- Check for loyalty programs, which can reduce per-gallon costs by 5 to 10 cents. The Pay with GasBuddy card may offer savings of up to 33 cents per gallon with flash deals.