AAA: Michigan Gas Prices set New 2022-Low ahead of holiday

DEARBORN, Mich., (December19, 2022) - Gas prices in Michigan are down 17 cents from a week ago. Michigan drivers are now paying an average of $3.07 per gallon for regular unleaded, which is a new 2022-low. This price is 81 cents less than this time last month and 8 cents less than this time last year.

Motorists are paying an average of $46 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline; a discount of about $5 from 2021's highest price last November.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased slightly from 8.36 to 8.26 million b/d. This coincides with the arrival of the winter driving season when fewer people hit the roads due to less daylight and more inclement weather. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose significantly by 4.5 million bbl to 223.6 million bbl. Increasing supply and lower gasoline demand are pushing pump prices lower.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $1.89 to settle at $77.28. Crude prices increased last week due to a weaker dollar and higher market optimism after new data showed that inflation rose at its slowest rate since December 2021. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude stocks expanded substantially by 10.2 million bbl to 424.1 million bbl.

The 3.2 million Michiganders preparing to hit the road for the holiday are getting the early gift of plunging prices at the pump. The Michigan state average has declined $1.11 per gallon in the last two months and prices are on par with last year’s holiday season.

"Michigan motorists continue to see gas prices decline with the state average hitting a new 2022-low and a few metro areas falling below $3 a gallon," said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group. "As demand remains low and stocks grow, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices decrease through the holiday week."

Compared to last week, Metro Detroit’s average daily gas price decreased. Metro Detroit’s current average is $2.99 per gallon, which is the lowest price since May of 2021. This price is about 11 cents less than last week’s average and 27 cents less than this same time last year.

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

• Most expensive gas price averages:  Traverse City ($3.37), Jackson ($3.23), Grand Rapids ($3.19)
• Least expensive gas price averages: Marquette ($2.94), Flint ($2.99), Metro Detroit ($2.99)

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.

Ways to Save on Gasoline

• Combine errands to limit driving time.
• Shop around for the best gas prices in your community.
• Consider paying cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
• Remove excess weight in your vehicle.
• Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.
• Enroll in savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell's Fuel Rewards program can save 5 cents per gallon when they fill up at Shell. Click here for more information.

                            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 13 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.