INDIANA — Hoosier drivers are feeling a tighter squeeze at the pump this week as gasoline prices in Indiana rose by an average of 7.2 cents per gallon. According to the latest GasBuddy survey of 3,271 stations across the state, the average price for regular unleaded now stands at $2.79 per gallon as of Monday, February 9, 2026.
While today’s prices are 14.3 cents lower than this time last year, they have climbed 12.8 cents over the past month, signaling the start of a traditional late-winter upward trend.
The cost of fuel varies significantly depending on where you fill up. In Indiana, the gap between the most and least expensive stations reached a staggering $1.00 per gallon yesterday.
- Lowest Price in Indiana: $2.29/g
- Highest Price in Indiana: $3.29/g
- National Average: $2.84/g (up 1.2 cents from last week)
Neighboring Metro Averages
| City | Current Price | Change from Last Week |
| Indianapolis | $2.76/g | +7.6¢ |
| Cincinnati, OH | $2.71/g | +12.4¢ |
| Champaign, IL | $2.91/g | +15.2¢ |
The spike is largely attributed to the “seasonal pivot” that occurs every February. As spring approaches, refineries begin the transition from winter-blend gasoline to the more expensive summer-blend, which is required to meet environmental standards for warmer weather.
“Nine of the ten largest weekly price movements were increases, led by West Coast states as California begins the transition to summer gasoline,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. He warned that these pressures will likely move eastward, potentially pushing the national average back above $3.00 per gallon this spring.
Despite the recent hike, long-term data shows that 2026 remains relatively affordable compared to the peak volatility of the early 2020s:
- 2025: $2.93/g
- 2024: $3.13/g
- 2023: $3.20/g
- 2022: $3.36/g
- 2021: $2.39/g
Diesel and Oil Dynamics
While gasoline saw a sharp rise in Indiana, the national average for diesel saw a more modest increase of 2.9 cents, bringing it to $3.61 per gallon. Analysts note that while crude oil prices slipped slightly last week due to reduced geopolitical tension, the internal dynamics of refinery maintenance and fuel blending will remain the primary drivers for pump prices through March.
