Comment on the June 14 posting: The statement that “I expect that range to look more like $3.69 – $4.19” was on the nose.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 6 PM: So far, the highest retail price for gas in west Michigan this year is $4.99, which we first hit on April 30 and again on May 12. On May 1, however, I spotted a Marathon on Alpine Avenue that was trying to initiate an extra hike, to $5.09. The competition did not follow, and Marathon backed down.
The same thing happened last week, as prices had fallen below $4 at most stations. The Marathon in Standale posted $4.19 on Thursday morning, as did a few other Marathons, and in fact some stations in Ottawa County got wind of it and posted $4.14. However, by the end of the day Thursday, the price was back to $3.99 in Standale, because once again, the competition shrugged.
So, some interesting shenanigans in the world of The Gas Game.
Speaking of shenanigans, what is going on with Iran, the MOU, and the Strait? These days, because of the volatile news, I have been waiting until Sunday evening or Monday to try to make sense of gas prices for the week. Oil futures have opened 1% higher this evening, and given Marathon’s attempt and the hike in Indiana last week, I think we are setting up for a system-wide reset to at least $3.99, and maybe higher. That won’t be a dramatic hike, but I suggest you fill up on Monday. -EA
