Gas Prices In These 5 States Likely To Drop Soon As Refineries Get 'Back Up To Speed', Analyst Urges Drivers Not To Rush To The Pump Yet

Gas prices successful parts of the Great Lakes portion could autumn sharply aft a abrupt refinery-driven spike pushed pump prices supra $4 successful respective states past week, according to GasBuddy petroleum expert Patrick De Haan.

Great Lakes Refinery Issues Start Easing

The mean terms for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped past $4 successful Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin past week aft those states had mostly stayed beneath that people since the Middle East struggle began. Illinois astir reached $5 a gallon connected Wednesday, arsenic determination refinery problems compounded seasonal maintenance.

De Haan said adjacent Kentucky, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas could besides spot increases, though apt not arsenic severe.

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Drivers May See Relief Within Weeks

In a Tuesday update, De Haan said the refinery problems were "clearing up," which could bring alleviation of 20 cents to 40 cents per gallon successful Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Iowa, Kentucky and Minnesota could besides spot immoderate easing. He cautioned drivers not to unreserved to capable up, saying it could instrumentality "another week oregon two" for little prices to amusement up astatine pumps.

With refineries successful the Great Lakes getting backmost up to speed, diesel prices could autumn from their near-$6/gal by 25-65c/gal truthful agelong arsenic nary caller issues surface. This would bring astir of MI/IN/OH/IL backmost into the mid-$5s, WI could caput toward the precocious $4s, low-$5s.

— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) May 5, 2026

Diesel prices are besides expected to cool. De Haan said Great Lakes diesel prices could autumn 25 cents to 65 cents per gallon if nary caller refinery issues emerge, bringing overmuch of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois backmost into the mid-$5 scope and Wisconsin toward the precocious $4 to debased $5 range.

GOOD NEWS for GREAT LAKES- refinery issues clearing up- if you're successful MI/IN/OH/IL/WI don't beryllium successful a unreserved to fill- the mode things are looking, mean state prices could autumn 20-40c/gal with diesel falling 25-60c successful the adjacent 2 weeks (but this could alteration if Strait destabilizes)

— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) May 5, 2026

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Hormuz Tensions Keep Crude Prices Elevated

President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom" implicit the play to usher vessels done the Strait of Hormuz, portion Secretary of State Marco Rubio said connected Tuesday that the medication would question a U.N. Security Council solution demanding Iran halt attacks, mining and tolling successful the strait.