Michigan gas prices slip slightly, but new surge may be just ahead

As the Iran war enters the sixth week, regular unleaded gas prices in Michigan were down a few cents, at $3.86 a gallon, while the national average topped $4 with diesel hitting a new record—and surging past $8 a gallon—in San Francisco.

“Michigan drivers are finally getting a break at the pump,” said Adrienne Woodland, a spokeswoman for AAA, which tracks gas prices. “Even with this recent relief, prices remain elevated, and ongoing increases in crude oil could quickly push gas prices higher again.”

Eight cents a gallon, however, didn’t seem like much of a break on Monday, April 6, considering that motorists were paying—on average—about $58 to fill a 14-gallon tank, an increase of $7 from 2025’s highest price last August.

It also might not last long.

Throughout Michigan, the most expensive gas price averages on Sunday were in Marquette, $4.02 a gallon; Benton Harbor, $3.91; and Ann Arbor, $3.91. The least expensive were in Flint, $3.71; Saginaw, $3.79; and Lansing, $3.81.

How high could gas prices go next?

Given President Donald Trump’s latest threats, that break may be short-lived.

“Gasoline prices are poised for another jolt this week,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which also tracks gas prices. He added surges were likely in “many inland states, including the Plains, Great Lakes, and parts of the Rockies.”

De Haan’s prediction: The national average could rise by double digits, potentially reaching the $4.20 to $4.35 per gallon range in the days ahead. Diesel prices continue to climb as well and are now 25 cents away from an all-time record.

The all-time high for gas in Michigan was $5.22 a gallon in 2022.

Record diesel prices hit California

Gas prices are now hitting new highs in other states.

On Sunday, April 5, Fox News reported the average diesel prices in San Francisco have surged past $8 per gallon, “a new benchmark—even for a state accustomed to elevated energy prices. “

Diesel in Michigan on Monday was $5.14 a gallon, according to AAA.

Record Easter gas prices in Florida

WFTV-TV, an ABC-affiliated station in Florida, reported gas prices in central Florida have reached their highest Easter weekend levels in more than 20 years, with the average price in the state at $4.21 a gallon.

Stickers that say, “I did that” and feature photos of Trump are popping up on gas pumps. And state officials—including Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer—are taking actions to try to reduce gas prices.

War escalation and oil prices

On Easter, Trump threatened more strikes in Iran, demanding in profane language on social media that the country Iran open the Strait of Hormuz or – if not – he said, he’d blow up power plants and bridges and residents will be “living in Hell.”

The strait is a key waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil travels.

The national average for gasoline is $4.12 a gallon.

More US bombing in Iran

Legal experts also have pointed out that bombings of Iranian infrastructure could raise crude oil prices, which are about $110 a barrel, and hinder America’s ability to negotiate a variety of deals with other nations in the future.

High oil prices could lead to more inflation, and if oil prices were to go even higher − about $150 a barrel− and remain there for the rest of the year, it could trigger a recession, according to a March note from Vanguard investment company.

To lower oil prices, the United States has lifted sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil.

On top of that, the war escalation in part could be seen as a war crime and, the New York Times reported, may even “further diminish America’s standing and weaken norms of state conduct in wartime that are intended to protect civilians.”

Governors act to lower gas prices

Whitmer temporarily rolled back gas standards last week on gas in certain Michigan counties, which, on paper, could lower gas prices by 10-20 cents a gallon, if stations are able to find reformulated gas.

In Georgia, the Republican governor suspended the state’s fuel excise tax for two months, cutting gas prices by more than 30 cents a gallon for gasoline and almost 40 cents for diesel, and urged stations to pass the savings on to customers.

Other states − including Utah and Florida − may pursue similar policies.

Gas is now about twice what Trump promised it would be during his second term. He also has said he expected the war to only last about six weeks and end soon and also promised that the price of gas would soon come back down.