GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said on Sept 11, 2026, gas prices will go higher. “Without a doubt,” he said. The forecast follows sharp Labor Day weekend increases in Midwest markets.
Gas Prices Are Rising Again: What GasBuddy’s Latest Forecast Means for Drivers
De Haan points to post-holiday supply adjustments and rising winter fuel demand. Prices are expected to climb through fall and into winter 2026. Relief timing remains uncertain.
Drivers face three immediate pressures in 2025-2026. Per-gallon costs are eroding household budgets after summer travel. Direction is unclear. Regional disparities are widening.
Core Pain Points for Drivers in 2025-2026
Rising per-gallon costs erode household budgets after summer travel season. Uncertainty about future price direction persists. Sharp regional disparities marked Labor Day spikes in Midwest markets.
Labor Day Weekend Price Shock: Wisconsin Drivers Pay Nearly $4 a Gallon
Wisconsin drivers paid nearly $4 a gallon over Labor Day weekend. The level was above the national average and above prior Labor Day weekends. GasBuddy flagged the state as a high-cost outlier.
Midwest Regional Spike: Akron and Cleveland Gas Prices Jump Over 26 Cents
Gas prices spiked more than 26 cents in both Akron and Cleveland. GasBuddy updated Ohio drivers on the rapid increase. Station pricing trends showed acceleration late in the holiday period.
| Market | Labor Day Signal | Reported Movement |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | Nearly $4 per gallon | Above national average |
| Akron, Ohio | Post-Labor Day surge | + more than 26 cents |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Post-Labor Day surge | + more than 26 cents |
Why Gas Prices Are Rising Now
Post-holiday demand normalization is underway. Refinery maintenance is tapering. Winter heating competition for crude and refining capacity is building.
These factors converge in fall. Prices typically rise seasonally. GasBuddy’s outlook aligns with that pattern.
What Drivers Can Do to Mitigate Higher Costs
Timing fill-ups around weekly price cycles can help. Early week prices often dip. GasBuddy reports show temporary dips before holiday weekends.
Monitoring station-level data reduces overspending. Use price alerts for local markets. Combine trips to cut consumption.
Forecast and Outlook for Gas Prices
GasBuddy expects continued upward pressure through fall 2026 into winter. Regional spikes may persist in the Midwest. National average is likely to follow upward trend.
How to monitor official GasBuddy reports and price alerts. Check daily updates. Set location-based alerts. Review historical Labor Day comparisons.
Summary
GasBuddy warns gas prices will go higher after Labor Day. Wisconsin drivers paid nearly $4 a gallon. Akron and Cleveland saw spikes over 26 cents.
Drivers in Wisconsin, Ohio and nationally should expect higher per-gallon costs ahead. Monitoring and timing remain the main tools.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Will gas prices go higher in fall and winter 2026?
- A: Yes. GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said on Sept 11, 2026 prices will go higher without doubt, citing post-holiday supply adjustments and rising winter fuel demand.
- Q: Why did gas prices spike over Labor Day weekend?
- A: Midwest markets saw sharp late-holiday increases. Wisconsin drivers paid nearly $4 per gallon, above national average, and Akron and Cleveland prices jumped more than 26 cents.
- Q: Which regions are facing the highest gas prices now?
- A: Wisconsin was flagged as a high-cost outlier over Labor Day at nearly $4 per gallon, with significant spikes also reported in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio.
- Q: When will relief come for drivers?
- A: Relief timing remains uncertain. The forecast expects prices to climb through fall and into winter 2026, with per-gallon costs continuing to erode household budgets.
Extended Reading
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Reference: GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan ‘Without a doubt’ gas prices will go higher, CNBC video Sept 11, 2026. Wisconsin drivers pay nearly $4 a gallon over Labor Day weekend, News8000. Gas prices spike more than 26 cents in Akron and Cleveland, WKYC GasBuddy update.