Gas Drops Below $3 a Gallon in Michigan

Some gas prices are below $3 per gallon in Michigan for the first time in almost a year, according to WOOD TV 8. The approaching holidays are credited with this latest dip, says AAA Michigan. Here's a look at Michigan's gas prices over the past few years.

2008

Around the holiday season, Gas Buddy listed $1.53 for a gallon of gas in Michigan. Earlier in the year, Michigan hit an all-time high of $4 a gallon. In one month gas prices plummeted by nearly $2.50 a gallon. Consumers hadn't paid that little for a gallon of gas in years.

2009

During this year, the Detroit News says, Michigan led the fifty states for highest gas prices, averaging about $2.90 a gallon.

2010

In this 12-month period, gas prices continued to steadily rise and finally topped $3 a gallon. By Christmas, Wood TV says, gas prices briefly dipped down to $2.97 a gallon to ensure that holiday travelers would not put off plans due to high prices.

2011

On May 3, 2011, gas spiked an all-time high in Michigan, says CBS Local Detroit. A customer was reported to be tickled to pay $4.02 a gallon. Elsewhere consumers were paying as much as $4.30 for that same gallon of unleaded gas. According to AAA Michigan, Marquette, Mich., in the UP had the state's highest recorded gas costs, followed closely by cities in the Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Bay City, Midland and Saginaw areas.

Since summer, gas prices have slowly trickling down. Currently, gas in several West Michigan communities has dropped to $2.99 a gallon. WOOD TV reported that the Marathon gas station at 68th and Broadmoor in Gaines Twp, Mich., was the first merchant to offer below-$30 prices. AAA Michigan says that the lowest gas prices in the state are in the Bay City, Saginaw and Midland, Mich., areas. In nearby Ottawa County, gas is selling for $3.05 to $3.27 per gallon, according to Gas Buddy. In the Motor City, gas prices are hovering at $3.00 to $3.06 per gallon. Michigan's upper peninsula, which is generally always more expensive for gas is still seeing gas costs around $3.25-$3.44 a gallon. Motorists in Marquette are still paying most dearly for their gasoline.

Sources:

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/michigan_gas_prices_fall_as_ch.html

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/christmas-travel-shocker-gas-below-3

http://www.MichiganGasPrices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx?city1=Michigan&city2=&city3=&crude=n&tme=36&units=us

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/05/03/high-gas-prices-set-michigan-record/

http://fuelgaugereport.opisnet.com/MImetro.asp

http://www.michigangasprices.com/Grand_Haven/index.aspx