INDIANA– Hoosier drivers are facing unprecedented spikes at the pump this week as average gasoline prices in Indiana skyrocketed by $1.05 per gallon in just seven days.
According to the latest survey of 3,271 stations by GasBuddy, the state average now sits at $4.83 per gallon as of Monday. This sudden surge puts Indiana prices 92.6 cents higher than just one month ago and a staggering $1.64 per gallon higher than this time last year.
The dramatic increase isn’t isolated to Indiana, though the Great Lakes region is currently bearing the brunt of the volatility. In Indianapolis, the local average jumped by $1.25 over the last week to hit $4.85 per gallon. Nearby Cincinnati and Champaign also saw significant increases, landing at $4.79 and $4.81, respectively.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that while every state saw an increase, the Great Lakes states—specifically Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois—experienced the sharpest “spikes.”
“While refinery outages were a key driver behind those outsized increases, early signs of improvement could help ease some of the most extreme price pressures in the Great Lakes in the days ahead,” De Haan said.
Indiana Gas Price Snapshot
The price gap across the state remains massive, with a nearly $3.00 difference between the cheapest and most expensive pumps.
- Lowest Price in Indiana: $3.12/g
- Highest Price in Indiana: $5.99/g
- State Average: $4.83/g
- National Average: $4.42/g
Diesel Hits New Heights
It isn’t just passenger vehicles feeling the burn. The national average price of diesel has climbed 21.3 cents in the last week, now standing at $5.621 per gallon. In some parts of the Great Lakes region, diesel has already begun touching the $6.00 mark, threatening to increase costs for the trucking and logistics industries
Historical Context: A Five-Year High
Today’s average of $4.83 marks a drastic departure from the pricing trends of the last half-decade. On this day in 2021, Indiana drivers were paying just $2.86 per gallon.
Indiana vs. U.S. Average (May 4):
| Year | Indiana Average | U.S. Average |
| 2026 | $4.83 | $4.42 |
| 2025 | $3.18 | $3.12 |
| 2024 | $3.43 | $3.64 |
| 2023 | $3.45 | $3.55 |
| 2022 | $4.18 | $4.24 |
| 2021 | $2.86 | $2.92 |
The Road Ahead
Despite the grim numbers, there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Analysts are watching several global developments, including OPEC+ production increases scheduled for June and new federal plans aimed at freeing stranded shipping vessels to restore supply chains.
However, De Haan warns that the market remains “highly fluid.” While localized relief might be coming for Indiana drivers, broader price volatility is expected to persist as the summer driving season approaches.
