Local/Regional News

Michigan gas prices soar up to -- and past -- $5 a gallon

Michigan Public | By Steve Carmody

Published April 30, 2026 at 4:46 PM EDT

John Blanck (right) and Brian Cleven (left) drove from Harbor Springs to stock up on gas in Eastport, just north of Torch Lake, on March 31, 2025. They just returned from a vacation, and are now dropping $200 to fuel their and their neighbors' generators. "Hey, we got property to keep up, farm animals, neighbors who are old, who can't get out, and their heat is running out," Cleven said. During the first few days of the ice storm, gas stations across the region had shutdown due to outages, making it difficult even for those with generators to power their homes. — John Blanck (right) and Brian Cleven (left) drove from Harbor Springs to stock up on gas in Eastport, just north of Torch Lake, on March 31, 2025 following a historic ice storm.

The number of Michigan gas stations charging at or above $5 a gallon for unleaded is growing.

As gas prices spiked Wednesday, long lines formed at gas stations still advertising pump prices closer to $4 a gallon.

Analysts blame the disruption caused by the war with Iran and refinery issues for the huge price spike this week.

On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer was asked about whether the state's gas tax should be suspended to ease the burden on Michiganders. She said there was "potential."

"There will be conversations with the legislature," Whitmer told reporters, "At this point we're going to try to write a budget."

Earlier this month, Whitmer declared an energy emergency.

The governor's executive order will ease the requirements on fuel blends sold in eight southeast Michigan counties. The Whitmer administration says that could save 10 to 20 cents a gallon.