INDIANA — Motorists across Indiana are seeing significant relief at the pump this week as average gasoline prices have plummeted by 46.5 cents per gallon over the last seven days. According to the latest GasBuddy survey of 3,271 stations, the state average now stands at $4.36 per gallon.
While the drop is substantial, current prices remain 40.6 cents higher than a month ago and are up $1.31 per gallon compared to this time last year.
The sharp decline in Indiana bucked a national trend of rising costs. While the national average rose 5.1 cents to $4.48 per gallon, Indiana was one of only six states to see a decrease.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, attributed the local drop to a combination of regional market shifts and aggressive state intervention. “Indiana experienced even steeper relief after the state temporarily waived both its excise and use taxes on gasoline,” De Haan noted.
In Indianapolis specifically, prices fell 48.2 cents over the last week to average $4.37 per gallon. In contrast, neighboring Champaign, Illinois, saw prices rise to $4.90 per gallon.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive stations in Indiana remains wide. Yesterday, the lowest recorded price in the state was $3.49 per gallon, while the highest reached $5.09—a difference of $1.60 per gallon.
Historical Context: Indiana vs. National Average (May 11)
| Year | Indiana Average | U.S. Average |
| 2026 | $4.36 | $4.48 |
| 2025 | $3.05 | $3.08 |
| 2024 | $3.60 | $3.61 |
| 2022 | $4.41 | $4.41 |
| 2021 | $2.97 | $3.00 |
The current reprieve may be short-lived. Oil prices began climbing again in Sunday’s electronic trade following a breakdown in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump has signaled that the latest deal proposals are unacceptable, causing market optimism to unravel.
De Haan warned that if oil prices continue to climb, the national average could head toward the $4.65 mark. Furthermore, diesel prices in the Great Lakes region are nearing record highs due to ongoing refinery issues, currently averaging $5.62 per gallon.
“Should geopolitical tensions escalate further, fuel prices could rise even more sharply in the weeks ahead,” De Haan said.
