Gas prices in Minnesota surged this week, with the average regular‑unleaded pump price climbing to $4.23 per gallon – a rise of 27 cents in just seven days, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Why the spike?

De Haan attributes the jump to a combination of refinery disruptions, overseas conflicts and pipeline outages that are tightening both global and domestic fuel markets. He noted that Minnesota ranked among the top five states for weekly gasoline price increases, alongside Michigan, Utah, Wisconsin and New Mexico.

Diesel follows a similar trend

On the diesel side, the greatest weekly gains were recorded in Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado, with Georgia and Florida each seeing increases of roughly 65 cents per gallon. De Haan warned that further spikes could spread across the nation, especially in the Great Lakes region, if refinery issues persist.

Seasonal factors may bring relief

Despite the recent surge, De Haan cautioned that prices could ease as the market transitions to winter gasoline blends next week. Winter blends are generally cheaper to produce than the summer blends used during warmer months.

How Minnesota compares nationally

Even with the 27‑cent rise, Minnesota’s average remains nine cents lower than the national average, which jumped 13 cents over the same period, according to the latest AAA data. Mid‑grade fuel in the state now averages $4.68 per gallon, premium $5.19, and diesel $6.08 – up sharply from $2.48 a year ago.

Impact on families

De Haan emphasized the real‑world effect on households, noting that drivers are paying nearly $1.20 more per gallon than they were a year ago. He highlighted that Americans have collectively spent over $100 billion more on gasoline and diesel since March 1 compared to the same period last year, with daily spending increasing by roughly $730 million.

Looking ahead

While the current surge is notable for this time of year, AAA’s recent report reminded readers that the national trend typically sees gas prices dip during the fall as demand wanes. Minnesota’s consumers can hope for a modest decline once winter blends dominate the market, but they should stay alert for any further disruptions that could reignite price pressures.

Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.