9/13/21 - Gas Prices Fall Only Slightly

Gas prices in Michigan decreased 3 cents compared to a week ago. Michigan drivers are now paying an average of $3.18 per gallon for regular unleaded. This price is 9 cents less than this time last month but still $1.14 more than this time last year.

DEARBORN, Mich., (September 13, 2021) - Motorists are paying an average of $48 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline; an increase of about $9 from when prices were their highest last January.

New data from the Energy Information Administration shows that gas demand increased slightly from 9.58 million b/d to 9.61 million b/d last week — a healthy reading for the Labor Day weekend. Meanwhile, total domestic stocks took a major step back by 7.2 million bbl to 220 million bbl. Refinery utilization was down almost 10% to 81.9%, as refineries impacted by Ida continue to progress in their recovery efforts.

At the close of Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $1.16 to settle at $68.14. Although crude prices declined amid reports of China tapping its strategic oil reserves to reduce prices, crude prices remain elevated as approximately 77% of crude oil production in the Gulf Coast region is shuttered due to Hurricane Ida, according to the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Once the damage is assessed, production will gradually return to normal operations and stabilize prices as supply increases.

“Some metro areas around Michigan saw prices drop lower last week, while others saw prices hold steady,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group. “As we settle into the fall driving season and Gulf Coast refineries continue their recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida, motorists could expect prices to stabilize through this week.”

Compared to last week, Metro Detroit’s average daily gas price held steady. Metro Detroit’s current average is $3.27 per gallon.  This price is the same as last week’s average and $1.12 more than this same time last year.

Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas averages

• Most expensive gas price averages: Metro Detroit ($3.27), Ann Arbor ($3.26), Marquette ($3.22)
• Least expensive gas price averages: Benton Harbor ($3.09), Grand Rapids ($3.10), Flint ($3.12)

Find Local Gas Prices

• Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.aaa.com 
• Motorists can find the lowest gas prices on their smartphone or tablet with the free AAA Mobile app. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance.

                            CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

                                       Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Gas Price Survey Methodology
Every day up to 130,000 stations in the nation and more than 4,200 stations in Michigan are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline. 

AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com.

About AAA - The Auto Club Group
AAA in Michigan celebrated its 100th Anniversary - A Century of Service in 2016 and has over 1.5 million members across the state. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG).  Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 62 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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