Michigan gas prices jump 24 cents as Iran conflict escalates

Michigan gas prices jumped 24 cents in the last week, 12 cents within a day
The steep increase is partly due to the war between the US and Iran
The switch to summer-grade gas adds seasonal pressure on prices

Michigan drivers are experiencing sticker shock at the pump this week, as gas prices have spiked nearly a quarter in just seven days amid rising global tensions and seasonal fuel changes.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Michigan climbed 24 cents over the past week, including a 12-cent jump in a single day to about $3.24, according to AAA. The increase tracks a surge in crude oil prices tied to escalating conflict with Iran, while the annual shift to more expensive summer-grade fuel ahead of the May 1 deadline set by the Energy Information Administration is also pushing costs higher.

Michigan’s average is slightly above the national average of about $3.20 for a gallon of regular gas, which is 10 cents more than it was on Tuesday.

“We’re not at a price point that we haven’t seen in several years but … that type of increase that we saw from one day to the next is something we really haven’t really seen in a couple of years,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group.

close up of gas prices — Regular gasoline cost $3.49 a gallon at a Detroit gasoline station on March 4, 2026 (Janelle D. James/Bridge Michigan)

Woodland said drivers haven’t experienced such steep inclines in gas prices since March of 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

“Michigan’s average jumped 14 cents from $4.03 to $4.18 and that was from March 7 to March 8,” she said. “Already, you can see prices prior to that conflict were already higher … but we’re still below the (average) high that we saw in 2025.”

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By the end of August of last year, gas prices in Michigan peaked at $3.39 cents per gallon of regular gas, a record high for the year.

Crude oil prices are the biggest driver of what Americans pay at the pump and increases in oil costs typically show up in gas prices within a few weeks. On Tuesday, US crude rose 8.6% to $77.36 per barrel, according to The Associated Press.

Woodland noted that it’s unclear how much more gas prices are expected to rise, but that prices will remain high amid the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

Other factors

The conflict in the Middle East isn’t the only thing to blame for higher prices at the pump. Gas prices also tend to increase as the deadline for states to switch over to summer-grade gas approaches.

The summer blend burns cleaner and contributes less to air pollution, which is more of a threat in hot weather. But summer-grade fuel is more expensive to produce and people tend to drive more as the weather warms, increasing demand.

It’s uncertain when gas prices will go down. To get the most out of your gas, AAA recommends drivers:

Plan ahead and group errands into one trip to cut down on the extra miles.
Use station signage or price-tracking apps to find the lowest rates nearby.
Pay with cash when possible, because some gas stations add a surcharge for credit card purchases, which can raise the per-gallon price.
Ease into the gas pedal and avoid speeding, as rapid acceleration and braking can significantly reduce miles per gallon.

Conflict in the Middle East

US airstrikes on Iran have ignited a fast-moving regional conflict that has already claimed American lives and rattled global oil markets.

On Sunday, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, leading to a broader regional conflict. President Trump said the attacks were to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and stop its nuclear programs, which he called a threat to US forces and allies.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the initial attack.

“I have never had more compliments on something I did. People felt it was something that had to be done,” Trump said Tuesday during a briefing in the Oval Office. “We have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe, lower than ever before.”

Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drone attacks at US bases and other countries in the region. So far, six US service members have been killed after a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.

“Our military in the Middle East is undertaking an unprecedented operation to eliminate Iran’s ability to threaten Americans as they have been doing for half a century,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of the US Central Command, in a short video posted on social media. “In simple terms, we’re focused on shooting all of the things that can shoot at us.”

The Pentagon identified four of the six members assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, which provides food, fuel, water, ammunition, transport equipment and supplies.

Those killed were Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa.