Regular gas: up a little day to day

For regular unleaded, AAA’s Traverse City average was $4.636 a gallon on May 25, 2026. That is 1.6 cents higher than yesterday, but 11.9 cents lower than a week ago. Compared with a month ago, regular gas is up 65.8 cents. Compared with a year ago, it is up $1.528.

That means the short-term move is small, but the bigger picture is still expensive for households and small businesses. Anyone commuting to work, running errands, or driving kids around Bellaire should expect fuel bills to stay elevated even if prices wobble from one day to the next.

Diesel: lower than yesterday, still a budget strain

Diesel moved the other way. AAA’s Traverse City diesel average came in at $5.999 a gallon on May 25, down 3.0 cents from yesterday and down 19.1 cents from a week ago. Even with that pullback, diesel is still 87.4 cents higher than a month ago and $2.440 higher than a year ago.

That matters most for contractors, delivery fleets, farmers, service companies, and anyone whose work trucks burn diesel. A small daily dip does not change the fact that diesel remains near the $6 mark in the Bellaire-area proxy market.

How Bellaire compares with Michigan and the U.S.

Michigan’s statewide AAA average on May 25 was $4.632 for regular gas and $6.018 for diesel. The national AAA average was lower on both fuels, at $4.507 for regular gas and $5.599 for diesel. So the Traverse City-area proxy sits slightly above the state on regular gas and slightly below the state on diesel, while both fuels remain above the national average.

The broader weekly backdrop still points to some easing. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest update shows both regular gasoline and on-highway diesel edging lower in the most recent weekly data. That does not guarantee cheaper local prices tomorrow, but it does suggest the national market has been cooling a bit even as holiday travel demand keeps retail prices elevated.

What it means for local drivers

For Bellaire residents, the practical takeaway is simple: the nearest verified local benchmark still shows near-$4.64 regular and about $6 diesel. That is expensive enough to affect road trips, weekend errands, and operating costs for businesses that make frequent deliveries or depend on trucks and equipment.

Memorial Day travel is part of the backdrop, and AAA says holiday demand is helping keep prices firm. Even so, the day-to-day moves are split, which is a reminder that regular gas and diesel can follow different paths from one check to the next.

If you’re filling up in or around Bellaire, compare nearby stations before you pump. If you spot a notably high or low price, share it with us so other readers can see what the local market looks like this week.

Sources

• AAA Fuel Prices — Michigan and Traverse City metro averages
• U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update
• U.S. Census Bureau — Traverse City micropolitan area map
• Michigan LARA Fire Service Directory — Bellaire District Fire Authority

The city’s summer programming announcement says the free offerings will be available across Newark’s five wards. That gives residents citywide access, not just one neighborhood or recreation area, which makes the rollout useful for parents looking for low-cost activities and for residents who want more options close to home.

The pool opening is scheduled, not already completed, and the date to watch is May 29. That means residents heading into the weekend should check the opening details before assuming their usual pool plans are in place. In practical terms, the city is moving from spring to summer operations at the end of May, and that shift is likely to affect weekend routines for families, youth programs, and nearby neighborhoods.

Memorial Day also brings temporary changes to trash and recycling service. Newark Public Works says the holiday schedule affects Zone A residents, so households in that collection area should confirm when to set carts out rather than relying on the regular pickup day. Holiday-week shifts can create missed collections or early curbside placement if residents do not check the notice first.

The same Public Works calendar also lists a South Ward Brick City Cleanup for May 30. That gives neighborhood groups and residents in the South Ward a specific date to note right after the holiday. It is a local service event, not a citywide cleanup campaign announcement, so the clearest takeaway is for people who live, work, or volunteer in that ward.

For Newark residents, the practical message is simple. Summer programming is starting across the city, pool access is scheduled to begin May 29, and Memorial Day may change the usual trash routine for Zone A. If you are planning a long weekend, the best move is to check the city’s and Public Works’ notices before putting anything at the curb or organizing a neighborhood outing.

That kind of timing can matter for commuters, parents, and block associations alike. City service calendars often shift around holidays, and this one combines recreation, sanitation, and neighborhood cleanup into the same short window. A quick check now can help avoid missed pickups, confusion about pool access, or a wasted trip to a facility that has not opened yet.

Sources

• City of Newark summer programming announcement
• Newark Public Works Memorial Day collection notice