Milwaukee gas prices take big jump ahead of holiday travel weekend
Looking to get out of town on wheels this weekend? Close your eyes at the gas pump, because prices are up by almost 30 cents a gallon in the last week in Milwaukee and other parts of southeastern Wisconsin.
Milwaukee's average price per gallon is $3.77, while Kenosha's is $3.78 and Racine's is $3.76, according to travel company AAA.
Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine are all high outliers in the state, with prices easily outpacing the statewide average price of $3.44 a gallon.
“Since the pandemic, the summer driving season has not seen a surge in demand, which can push pump prices higher,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “So, it will be interesting to see if this year bucks that trend. This week’s move by the Biden Administration to sell off the million barrel Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve might help stave off any regional pump price surges, but likely won’t move the national average that much.”
The average gas price in the country was $3.61, according to AAA. Parts of Wisconsin seem to be bucking national trends in gas prices, according to other sources as well.
Gas price tracking website GasBuddy, said in a Tuesday news release that gas prices fell and were settling in the mid-$3 range. In an optimistic note, GasBuddy said that "potentially tens of thousands of stations" could fall under $3 per gallon through the next several months.
So, what's up with Milwaukee's rising prices? Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, said in an email that there were two "snags."
There were issues at two refineries, including a small fire at an ExxonMobil refinery and flaring at BP's Whiting refinery, both near Chicago. That caused prices to surge 70 cents Monday, before dropping by 30 cents both Tuesday and Wednesday.
De Haan said that gas stations were likely paying steep prices to refill their tanks for the holiday weekend. Now, they'll need to sell at higher prices to make up for that, before later passing along the lower prices seen elsewhere.
National average price of gasoline now $3.60/gal, some jumps in the Great Lakes due to some refinery snags, national average about 6 cents above last year. Most areas seeing relief, a few are jumping, but as we get closer to July 4, more relief for nearly all.
— Patrick De Haan ⛽️📊 (@GasBuddyGuy) May 23, 2024
Highest gas price hikes in the state
Here’s a breakdown of the highest average gas prices in Wisconsin by city, according to AAA:
Kenosha: Current average: $3.78; last week's average: $3.51
Milwaukee: Current average: $3.77; last week's average: $3.48
Racine: Current average: $3.76; last week's average: $3.47
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee gas prices take big jump ahead of Memorial Day weekend
