Got gas? West Michigan prices could soon jump to 'within pennies' of $4.00

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Conditions are ripe for a marked increase in the price of gasoline as early as tonight, with a spike up to just under $4 likely by Thursday morning, according to a fuel price analyst with GasBuddy.com.

Patrick DeHaan, analyst for the crowd-sourced fuel price index, said tumult in the industry and production woes at multiple refineries in the Midwest are driving the expected spike.

What's more, DeHaan said the federal government's shutting down of Enbridge Energy Partners' 427-mile pipeline from Canada to Chicago from Wisconsin created nervousness on the market this week, further fueling an increase.

The Enbridge pipe ruptured last week, spilling 50,400 gallons of crude oil. The government shut down its reopening until Enbridge could offer a fix.

"That’s really causing everybody to freak out," DeHaan said.

Reflecting that, wholesale gasoline prices are up 22 cents this afternoon, DeHaan said, and some stations likely will amend their prices accordingly this evening.

Others likely will wait until Thursday morning to ratchet up prices, he said. Gas already has hit $4.29 per gallon in Chicago, according to USA Today.

"They might wait until Friday, but it’d be pretty idiotic for them to not pass that cost on," DeHaan said.

Prices Wednesday afternoon averaged $3.74 in the Grand Rapids-Holland-Muskegon combined statistical area, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

In Grand Rapids, prices this afternoon are between $3.68 and $3.79, according to GrandRapidsGasPrices.com.

In Muskegon, prices were between $3.73 and $3.80. In Holland, prices were between $3.70 and $3.79.

 

My parents just returned to Holland after spending a week in SC and said gas was 3.09 in SC and when they returned to Holland it was 3.89 WTF?

 

Relax people! It's the new "normal"!

 

FWIW, South Carolina always has low prices for gas.

The state taxes on gasoline are low in SC.

 

Here come the speculators.....

 

It is because I am about to take a road trip on Monday. Every time I go ANYWHERE long distance, gas sky rockets. Nothing to see here folks, just give it a week and it will be over because I will be at my destination.

 

i should have filled up yesterday!

 

I paid $3.29 today. Last tank, I paid $3.04.

 

Same thing here, everytime I take a road trip gas is going up. Back in April took a 2,500 mile round trip and gas was close to $4 buck's a gallon. Leaving Friday morning to central Texas for a 1,000 mile round trip. I guess I'll leave it parked for awhile when I get back.