Gasoline Prices Fell as Refinery Restarts Production
National fuel costs dipped slightly, offering transport-heavy businesses minor relief on operating expenses.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Average gasoline prices declined in more than half of all states, with the national average falling 1.6 cents to $4.42 per gallon. The shift follows the successful restart of a major refinery in the Great Lakes region.
Why it matters
The refinery restart helps ease supply constraints that previously kept fuel costs elevated for logistics and transport-dependent firms. Lower diesel and gasoline prices reduce the immediate variable cost burden on shipping, distribution, and mobile service providers.
Nationwide, gasoline prices fell by 1.6 cents to a $4.42 average, while diesel dropped 4.1 cents to $6.44 per gallon. In Minnesota, gas prices saw a steeper decline of 7.0 cents, reaching a state average of $4.32 per gallon.
The details
The price easing is driven by a supply recovery in the Great Lakes region after a major refinery resumed operations. This increased throughput is expected to lower regional diesel prices and contribute to modest, ongoing declines in fuel costs across the country. Crude oil prices remain under the $100 per barrel benchmark, supporting the current downward trend in consumer and commercial fuel rates.
Timeline
Fuel price changes occurred between September 21, 2026 and September 28, 2026.
Market Landscape
This development follows the pattern of the 2021 Colonial Pipeline shutdown, where localized supply disruptions directly dictated national fuel cost volatility. The restart highlights how sensitive the broader energy market remains to regional infrastructure capacity.
Operators should incorporate these modest fuel cost declines into their variable expense forecasts for the coming weeks. Businesses with significant logistics exposure should monitor regional supply levels in the Great Lakes as the refinery stabilizes production.
The takeaway
Increased refinery throughput is providing a necessary buffer against high diesel and gasoline costs for businesses nationwide. Management teams should track energy price indices to determine if these savings warrant adjustments to shipping surcharges or fuel-based billing components.
Further reading
For broader trends in energy infrastructure and supply, see the Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KDHL AM 920.
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