Gas prices in Wisconsin fall slightly; what's on the horizon?

Look outside right now, looking over the Marquette Interchange, a lot of cars on the road, but this is expected to look a lot busier around the Thanksgiving holiday season time as people start to head home, maybe that Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and I know we've been talking a lot about gas prices over the last few months. Well, some of you may have noticed a little bit. Of relief at the pump, which has been good. I want to bring in GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan joining me here now. Patrick, long time no see. Hopefully you haven't forgotten the drill of the game. Just a little bit of relief, huh? Well, my numbers might dispute that. Well, thankfully, but I did quickly have to look at the numbers and I settled on my guess. Okay, let's hear it. I'm going to guess $3.99 today. Dang, it's almost like this is your job. I know I say this all the time. I was tempted to say $3.89, but I've guessed low. Last time I think I was on, I was $0.10 under. So those prices should be coming down pretty significantly across the state here in the weeks ahead. That's the good news. In fact, I just checked GasBuddy. And don't you know it, in Indiana and Ohio, which, by the way, aren't too far from Wisconsin, GasBuddy's now tracking over 10 stations in Indiana that are at $2.99, and there's four stations in Ohio. Now, keep in mind, those states have suspended their gas taxes, but Wisconsin's average right now is $3.85. That station could be $0.30 or $0.40 again, lower by Thanksgiving, maybe even more than that. So don't be in a rush and shop around, because across the state, there's a huge variety in prices. He says, the good news is all those refinery issues that We probably talked about last time have resolved. We've seen all the seasonal factors really kick in demand falling. Refinery maintenance is wrapping up and oil prices have gone down as the Trump administration has said that they don't plan on escalating with Iran and more oils flowing through the state. So the straight, I guess I'm talking about the state too. So I'm getting a little mixed up on state versus straight, but all of that. It's going to push gasoline prices down substantially here in the weeks ahead. Diesel prices are going to see a little bit of relief as well. And I'm looking here, yeah, because I was looking at your social media earlier today, and it was like potentially below $3 a gallon by Thanksgiving. And I know you talked about a few of the reasons, but you also posted talking about the election as well. So is there any contributing factors there as far as gas goes now that we are, I want to say what, maybe like a week out or a week after the election? Well, there's probably some low-level impact. I think the majority of Americans probably, depending on their political agenda, are going to say there's a ton of factor or no factor from that. And the reality, my reality, is that both Democrats and Republicans after the elections are going to feel more pressure to find some resolution between the U.S. and Iran and the geopolitical tensions. Look, Americans voted. I think the economy, gas prices were a very high-level issue, I think, for both sides of the political spectrum, and I think that was made obvious by the outcome of the election. Nobody likes high gas prices. As somebody that tracks gas prices… Incessantly, I can tell you that it is a very polarizing number to see high prices. And of course, Americans love lower prices. So I think there is an element here that the election results are going to cause both political parties to look at the issues more carefully. And that's gonna mean that maybe next time instead of escalation, the administration already saying it probably won't escalate and it was talking about de-escalation. So maybe the administration's already Kind of rethinking its strategy. But I think the majority of what we're seeing is seasonal and especially those refinery maintenance issues that have hit us in early September and then again around the September 21st mark. Keep in mind, that's probably as much relief as the seasonal trends. Once the refining issues get improved, we've often said that prices will go down. And by the way, Wisconsin down 30 cents a gallon from just a week ago, Milwaukee down 29 cents from a week ago. Those are going to be kind of the pace of decline that we see. So in a week from now, we could be another $0.30 lower. Maybe two weeks from now, we'll be $0.55 to $0.60 lower. Oh, I love hearing you talk about downward trends, of course, especially as we head into the holidays and talking a little bit specifically about what we're seeing right now. I know you have your map of the U.S. behind you, but kind of centering in on Wisconsin. Talk a little bit about what we're seeing here. Yeah, you know, as I look at the same map that you're showing there, I mean, this highlights, so wholesale gas prices have plummeted in the last three weeks, four weeks. The refining issues, the seasonal stuff, and the price of oil. Go around because I am seeing huge disparities. I mean, right now, some counties in Wisconsin still at about $3.99. In fact, Lafayette County is still averaging $4.10. Portage County at $4.04. All those reds are generally prices over $4, and then you see those deep blues, Sheboygan County at $3.67, Manitowoc at $3.62, so I mean, there's a lot of low prices out there, and when prices go down, this is when, you know, your sense of security, you're thinking you're getting a deal, you're just not getting as good of a deal, so check the GasBuddy app because prices all over the state are coming down really quickly in some areas. And really slowly in others. And this is actually when you have a propensity to overpay by thinking you're getting a deal and not checking those apps that show you prices. And I want to say, too, because, of course, I didn't know I was going to be talking to you today, but I did actually happen to fill up my gas tank this morning, and unfortunately I had to do it while I was living downtown because that was the closest to my apartment. I was, like, nine miles to empty. I know, shame, shame. But I decided, you know, to wait and fill up downtown. And I was talking with some of my colleagues in the newsroom, and we all know that gas prices tend to be more expensive. In downtown and higher populated areas. But what is actually the reason why that is? All the costs of doing business is higher. Rents are higher. Pay is higher. Any big city. You'll see that, especially in California, that they have high prices because their standard of living is generally higher. Rents are higher. Labor costs are higher. So, you know, that's why, I mean, you did good in timing it. But what I would say to everyone listening is if you don't need a full tank, if you're You're not going to use it immediately. Only buy a half a tank because next week prices will be 30 cents lower and then another week there'll be another 30 cents lower and then shop around. Even if it's in Milwaukee, you'll probably find some pockets of low prices. But for the next two weeks. Only buy what you need for like three or four days. I get it. Nobody wants to stop at the gas station every single day to buy another three gallons. So only fill up with a half tank because prices will actively be coming down for the next couple of weeks. Now, again, caveats apply. Hopefully no new refining issues. But even if there are refining issues, the rest of the refineries in the region are finishing up maintenance. That's the good news. And I mean, like I said, we've gotten some... Some good news from the administration that they don't plan on escalating anytime soon. So nothing is for sure, but I'm feeling pretty good about the chances of falling prices. I will take it. I mean, we talked about this. We wanted this for Christmas, and it looks like we're getting closer and closer to it. I mean, you keep talking about downward trends, so I'm hoping on that. I'm banking on it. We'll have to see, Patrick. Thanks so much for joining us on Fox 6 Now. Anything else you feel like is important for people to know? Well, again, if you're crossing those state lines, be aware of that map behind me. If your relatives are somehow across the lake in Indiana or Ohio, I mean, and as somebody that lives in Illinois, you're not going to want to fill up here. My station's $4.79 a gallon. Oh, jeez. But, of course, if I go outside, it might be $4.59 now. So be wary of those state lines. Look, it's still like the fall color map. The leaves aren't really there anymore. It's so many trees. But, you know, for anyone hitting the road. For Thanksgiving, no matter where you go, you're going to see a big difference in prices this Thanksgiving because of how much wholesale prices have gone down. So probably could save yourself 20 to 50 cents a gallon this Thanksgiving. And finally, some good news. So thanks for letting me share it with you. Yeah, I love to hear it. And hopefully we get more states here in the blue area as we head into later in the year. Patrick, thanks so much again for joining us here on Fox 6 Now. Hoping next time we chat again, it'll be more good news. We'll have to see. Thanks, Maddie. All right.