U.S. drivers are paying an average of $4.43 to fill up with regular gasoline, marking a 44-cent increase from a month ago, according to recent market data. The sharp climb at the pump is driven by a combination of tightening global oil supplies, refinery issues, and ongoing geopolitical tensions that continue to impact fuel costs nationwide.
National and Regional Price Trends
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline has risen 7.7 cents over the past week to sit at $4.02, according to weekly price reports from GasBuddy covering more than 150,000 stations. That figure represents a 3.6-cent increase from a month ago and sits 93.1 cents higher than this time last year.
Regional impacts vary widely across the country. According to GasBuddy data, Minnesota’s statewide average reached $3.96 per gallon, up 13.8 cents from the previous week. In the Twin Cities, a survey of 1,106 stations showed average prices jumping 16.3 cents over the week to hit $4 per gallon. Prices across Minnesota showed a wide spread, ranging from a low of $3.37 to a high of $4.86 per gallon.
Neighboring areas are tracking similar upward momentum. Wisconsin’s average rose to $3.88 per gallon, representing a 4.4-cent weekly increase, while Sioux Falls saw a jump of 25.2 cents to reach $3.95 per gallon.
Global Supply Disruptions and Refinery Pressures
Fuel costs are responding directly to international supply constraints. According to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, rebounding oil prices are being sustained by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
These disruptions have kept strong upward pressure on the broader petroleum market, affecting both gasoline and diesel prices. Diesel prices have risen in nearly every state as a result of the constrained supply environment.
Outlook for Drivers
While global supply bottlenecks keep wholesale prices elevated, seasonal factors could offer some relief in the weeks ahead.
For now, however, motorists must contend with significant price volatility. The gap between stations remains pronounced; in the Twin Cities alone, individual station pricing on a recent Sunday spanned a 70-cent difference between the cheapest option at $3.49 per gallon and the most expensive at $4.19 per gallon.
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