INDIANA — Motorists in Indiana looking to save at the pump may want to keep their tanks full on the weekends. According to a new 2026 analysis released today by GasBuddy, Sunday has emerged as the most affordable day of the week to buy gasoline in the Hoosier State, while midweek fills often come with a higher price tag.
The report, which analyzed daily statewide fuel prices over the past year, found that gasoline prices generally follow a “weekly rhythm” that is independent of global oil market fluctuations.
For Indiana drivers, timing is becoming as important as shopping around. GasBuddy’s data shows that prices tend to ease into the weekend, making Sunday the safest bet for the lowest average prices. Conversely, the “danger zone” for motorists typically falls between Wednesday and Friday, when prices frequently hit their weekly peaks.
According to GasBuddy, simply shifting a fill-up from a Wednesday to a Sunday can save drivers between 4 and 9 cents per gallon.
While the national trend shows a gradual weekly rise, Indiana is one of several states—alongside Michigan, Ohio, and Florida—that experiences a phenomenon known as price cycling.
In these markets, prices do not just drift; they “reset” with sharp, sudden spikes on a specific day before slowly tapering off over several days. In Indiana, these cycles are notoriously volatile:
- The Spike: Prices can jump 15 to 45 cents per gallon in a single day during a “reset.”
- The Slide: After the spike, competition between stations drives prices down by a few cents each day.
- The Strategy: The best savings in Indiana often occur five to seven days after a major price jump, as stations fight to underprice one another before the next cycle begins.
“Indiana is a classic example of a market where patience pays off,” says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “If you see prices jump 20 cents on a Tuesday, waiting until Sunday or even the following Monday can mean the difference between paying a premium or catching the bottom of the cycle.”
As of today, Indiana gas prices are showing the typical mid-February volatility as refineries prepare for the seasonal transition to summer-blend fuel.
| Metric | Indiana Average (Current) |
| Current Statewide Average | $2.80/g |
| 2026 Forecast Range | $2.88 – $3.14/g |
| Lowest Reported Price | $2.29/g |
| Highest Reported Price | $3.19/g |
Source: GasBuddy Survey of 3,271 Indiana Stations
Tips for Hoosier Motorists
- Watch the “Reset”: If you notice a sudden 15–20 cent jump at your local station, avoid filling up if possible. Wait 3–4 days for the “cycling” effect to bring prices back down.
- Early Week is Best: If you miss the Sunday window, Monday mornings often retain the lower weekend pricing before midweek hikes take effect.
- Use Technology: Pairing the right day with the GasBuddy app can save an additional 5 to 10 cents per gallon, while the “Pay with GasBuddy” service can offer discounts up to 33 cents per gallon.
