Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Midwestern states, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in particular, were hit harder in the past week by rising gasoline prices, according to a national price tracking website.

The five states with the largest increases in gas prices were all in the Midwest, led by Indiana and followed by Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, GasBuddy posted on X Monday.

Indiana had an increase of 83.2 cents in the previous week, GasBuddy said. That brought the average price of a gallon of gasoline to nearly $5 at $4.82.

Ohio saw a 78.1 cent per gallon spike, followed by Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, giving the Midwest a sweep of the top five.

“Gasoline prices rose in every state over the last week, with some of the most significant and fastest increases concentrated in the Great Lakes, where states like Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois saw sharp spikes, while Wisconsin experienced more modest gains,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a statement.

Refinery outages were partly to blame for higher prices in the Midwest, said De Haan.

“While refinery outages were a key driver behind those outsized increases, early signs of improvement could help ease some of the most extreme price pressures in the Great Lakes in the days ahead,” he said.

The military conflict in Iran remains a factor with President Donald Trump announcing a plan to free stranded ships in the region. OPEC+ also announced plans to increase oil production next month.

“However, with so many moving pieces, the outlook remains highly fluid, and while some localized relief may emerge, broader price volatility is likely to persist in the near term,” DeHann said.

For now, the key word is uncertainty, the analyst said.

“Looking ahead, volatility is likely to remain elevated,” he wrote. “With diplomatic efforts faltering and tensions showing few signs of easing, traders will continue to react swiftly to geopolitical developments. As long as uncertainty surrounds supply – especially in critical regions and transit routes – oil prices are likely to remain supported, with sharp swings possible as markets navigate an increasingly fragile and headline-driven environment.”

Nationally, the average gas price is $4.54 per gallon, significantly up over the last week.