Gas prices are on the rise nationwide. Michigan residents are not exempt—as of May 2022, Michiganders are paying an average of $4.562 per gallon of regular unleaded gas.

In March 2022, the U.S. banned Russian gas and oil imports as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This caused an additional surge to already increasing gas prices, which were on the rise after the demand for gas drastically increased after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, residents of the Great Lake State don’t have to navigate this moment of high gas prices alone—we're here to help. We’ve gathered all of the information you need to know about Michigan’s gas prices and even offer some essential tips for saving money on car-related expenses, including helpful ways to lower your

car insurance

bill.

MORE:

How to save on Michigan car insurance

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What is the average price of gas in Michigan?

Per

AAA

’s website, a gallon of regular unleaded gas will cost Michiganders an average of $4.562 as of May 2022. This is only slightly lower than the national average, which is currently set at $4.599 per gallon.

To get an idea of how fast gas rates are climbing, consider the fact that a month ago, the average price per gallon was $4.006. Even more telling, the price per gallon was as low as $3.030 last year!

Unfortunately, if you drive a vehicle that requires premium fuel or a diesel truck, gas is going to cost you even more at the pump. Here’s the breakdown for higher grades:

Mid-grade: $4.870 per gallon

Premium: $5.210 per gallon

Diesel: $5.250 per gallon

MORE: Is premium gas worth it?

Which county in Michigan has the highest gas prices?

Gas prices vary significantly throughout Michigan, with the highest prices in the counties of

Ontonagon

, Gogebic, Iron,

Schoolcraft

, Mackinac, Chippewa, Emmet,

Cheboygan

, Charlevoix, Antrim, and Leelanau.

You can find much cheaper gas prices in more southern portions of the state.

Why are gas prices in Michigan so high?

Although gas prices in Michigan aren’t any higher than the national average, they’re still far more expensive than years previous. We’ve already discussed some of the causes for the national surge—but what’s affecting the Mitten State, specifically?

One reason for rising gas prices in Michigan is the annual switch to the “summer blend” of gasoline. States like Michigan—which have dramatically different climates in the winter and summer—tend to switch between winter and summer blends. Winter blends are less expensive, but summer blends are necessary because they evaporate at higher temperatures.

Another consideration is the state’s tax on gasoline. The federal government assigns a tax to all fuel purchases and certain states like Michigan assign additional taxes. Some states—like

New York

—have suspended these taxes temporarily to provide drivers with some sense of relief, but Michigan is unsure if they’re in the financial position to do so.

Suspending the state’s gas tax would cost an estimated $101 million per month—and this money is used to fund state and local road repairs. Thus, suspending the gas tax for even a short while could be significantly detrimental to Michigan’s roadways.

MORE:

How to find the best gas prices

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How to deal with Michigan’s gas prices

According to experts, the nation’s gas prices will continue to rise with no end in sight. Many of us may be looking to carpool and utilize public transportation as a way to save a bit of money on gasoline.

If this isn’t a practical option for you—or if you want to save even more money—we recommend trying to cut down on your other car-related expenses.

Here’s what we suggest:

Stay on top of your

car maintenance schedule

: You might be tempted to pass up an oil change here and there as a way to save money, but we strongly advise against this. Skipping out on maintenance could result in expensive mechanical issues in the future.

Learn some DIY

car repair

skills: Unless you’re a mechanical genius, you’ll probably want to save the significant repairs for a professional—but it’s quite easy to learn how to do some basic maintenance and repair jobs in your own garage. Try resources like YouTube or even your car’s owner's manual.

Refinance your

car loan

: Most car owners’ biggest expense is their car loan. However, if it’s been a little while since you purchased your vehicle, refinancing might be a good option—especially if you have great credit. You could lower your monthly interest rate and save quite a bit of cash.

Go electric: If you’re thinking about trading in your vehicle, now is a good time to test drive some electric vehicles. Not only will you save big on gas, but you could also qualify for some of

Michigan's electric vehicle incentives

Switch insurance companies: Have you shopped around for car insurance lately? You could save big just by switching companies. If you’re hesitant to

switch car insurance companies

because you’re worried about the work involved, don’t be. Jerry does all the paperwork for you and can even help cancel your old policy!

MORE:

11 car insurance hacks to save you money

Save money on car insurance in Michigan

No matter how much gas costs,

Jerry

is your ultra-talented

car insurance

broker for life. No need to sit across from him at a desk: Jerry is an app! It takes less than a minute to sign up, and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from dozens of top providers.

In less than 45 seconds after downloading the app, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer to personalize your quote options. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.

And the best part? The average Jerry user saves $880+ a year on car insurance.

“I have been with the same insurance provider for over 10 years.
Jerry
found me a new policy with Travelers that is $107/month cheaper. The pandemic has made finances tight, but Jerry helped me out.” —Gabriel T.

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