COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch and Hillsdale counties are currently tied for the absolute lowest gas prices in Michigan, with regular unleaded averaging $3.88 per gallon to kick off the work week.
According to the latest data from AAA-The Auto Club Group, the statewide average has plunged 21 cents over the past week to $4.14 per gallon, providing significant relief to motorists following weeks of summer price hikes.
The sudden drop tracks a broader downward trend across the Midwest, allowing 11 different Michigan communities and counties to see their average fuel costs dip back below the $4 threshold.
This localized reprieve stands in stark contrast to other areas of the state where drivers continue to face steep prices, such as Mackinac County at a state-high $4.41 per gallon and Ann Arbor at $4.26.
While Branch and Hillsdale lead the state’s cheapest rankings alongside other low-cost areas like Dickinson ($3.91) and Menominee ($3.92), market experts warn that the relief may face headwinds.
Volatility in global oil markets and developing diplomatic negotiations regarding shipping lanes in the Middle East mean that while regional drivers are enjoying sub-$4 fuel for now, retail prices remain vulnerable to sudden shifts in the coming weeks.
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