Michigan drivers feel squeeze at the pump as Midwest refinery recovers

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Gas prices across Michigan have risen sharply this week, with drivers now paying an average of $3.35 per gallon, while in Kalamazoo, the average sits slightly higher at $3.39.

Matt McClain, a petroleum analyst with GasBuddy, attributes the surge in local prices to severe thunderstorms and flooding that struck earlier this month.

The rains caused a temporary shutdown at BP’s massive Whiting refinery. It’s the largest in the Midwest, and is disrupting fuel supplies to Michigan and neighboring states plus Canada.

BP has since begun restarting operations. According to industry monitor Industrial Info Resources, the facility is expected to return to full capacity this week.

At a Marathon station on Portage Street, DoorDash driver Solomon Grant explained that rising fuel prices are limiting his ability to work and visit family in Detroit.

“That’s about two hours, I don’t see them too often. So, we meet in the middle, maybe once a week,” Grant said.

Grant says on a good day he can earn between $150 and $200 a day from DoorDash. However, lately the money he makes is partially going right back into his gas tank.

Meanwhile, at a Shell station on Westnedge Avenue, Brian Carber is preparing for a Labor Day trip to Chicago with his wife and son. He noted the higher cost is hitting hard.

“What used to make over a half-tank is now maybe a third of a tank of gas,” Carber said.

McClain anticipates that once BP’s refinery returns to full production, gas prices are likely to ease back down after the Labor Day weekend. Though local prices remain elevated now, the national average currently stands at $3.19 per gallon.

GasBuddy forecasts that Labor Day weekend gas prices nationwide will hit $3.15 per gallon, marking the cheapest holiday weekend fuel prices since 2020.