Comment on the February 22 prediction: The next day, prices rose again in Michigan to $3.19, so the prediction was CORRECT. However …
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 8 PM: … I was surprised that by Wednesday, I was seeing prices in the $2.70’s. Were there parts of Grand Rapids that didn’t embrace the hike on Monday? I don’t know, but this afternoon, there are $2.75’s (and lower) broadly distributed throughout Kent County.
That won’t last. We were already in trouble on Friday, as gas blending in Chicago was moving towards the summer mix, adding at least a dime to wholesale prices. Then on Saturday, what was saber-rattling a week ago turned into actual saber-using, with the attack on Iran. As I write this update, oil prices have jumped 7-10%. Maybe tomorrow morning, that will have changed, but all signs point to a price reset soon. Back to $3.19? Higher? -EA
With current costs and the larger margins these days I was surprised that we didn’t see a jump to 3.39 on Saturday.
Hiking to $3.299 in Indiana this morning.
$3.199 in SW Ohio. This time it is likely to stick.
$3.49-3.59 in Illlinois
$3.199 in sw Ohio yesterday. Oil up another 7% so far today, rbob 5%. Fully expect another hike by Thursday.