Madison Gas Rises to $3.987 While Diesel Eases to $5.006

Madison-area regular gasoline moved higher while diesel edged down in AAA’s latest price check on Friday, July 31. The Madison metro average for regular gas reached $3.987 per gallon, up 6.5 cents from $3.922 the previous day. Diesel averaged $5.006, down 2.6 cents from $5.032.

Gasoline is nearing $4 per gallon

The latest increase puts regular gasoline 13.7 cents above its level one week ago, when the Madison average was $3.850. It is 29.5 cents higher than a month ago and $1.047 above the year-ago average of $2.940.

That movement matters most for commuters, households with multiple vehicles, weekend travelers and people driving to summer events. A driver filling a 15-gallon tank would pay about 98 cents more than during the previous AAA check, before accounting for differences between individual stations.

Diesel eases, but remains above $5

Diesel moved in the opposite direction Friday, falling slightly from the prior check. Even so, the Madison average remains 16.1 cents higher than a week ago, 33.3 cents above its level a month ago and $1.475 higher than the year-ago average of $3.531.

The elevated diesel price matters beyond the pump. Contractors, delivery operators, farmers, service businesses, restaurants and other commercial users may face higher operating costs when vehicles and equipment require diesel. Those costs can also affect the expense of transporting goods and supplies, although the size and timing of any pass-through will vary by business.

Metro averages do not set every station’s price

AAA listed the Wisconsin statewide regular-gas average at $3.959 on July 31, slightly below Madison’s $3.987 metro average. The national regular-gas average was $4.106. Those figures provide broader context, but they do not determine what every local station charges.

AAA’s Madison figures are metro averages, not a claim that every station is charging $3.987 for regular gas or $5.006 for diesel. Pump prices can differ by neighborhood, retailer, payment method and timing, so drivers may want to compare stations before filling up.

What are the highest and lowest regular-gas or diesel prices you are seeing around Madison? Share the station and price locally.

Sources

• AAA Wisconsin Fuel Prices — Madison metro averages
• U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update