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Minnesota Gas Prices — What You Need to Know

Regular gasoline in Minnesota is currently priced at $4.039 per gallon, marking a notable weekly increase of $0.195 as of Thursday, July 30, 2026. This mid-summer price point is above the state's typical seasonal average, reflecting broader crude oil market pressures affecting the Upper Midwest. Minnesota drivers are experiencing one of the sharper weekly jumps in recent months, signaling tightening supply conditions or increased refining costs.

For a typical Minnesota driver filling a 15-gallon tank with regular gasoline, the current cost stands at approximately $60.59, compared to $57.74 just one week ago—a noticeable $2.85 increase per fill-up. Minnesota's price remains closer to the national average than some neighboring states, partly due to the state's moderate fuel excise tax of 28.5 cents per gallon combined with efficient supply chains from the Twin Cities refineries. The spread between regular and premium has widened to $0.889 per gallon, making premium fuel a notably expensive choice for those not requiring it.

What Drives Gas Prices in Minnesota?

Minnesota's gas prices are heavily influenced by the state's two major refineries—the Tesoro facility in St. Paul and the Frontier refinery in Cheyenne, which supplies the northern Rocky Mountain region—both of which process crude delivered through pipeline networks from Canada and the Gulf Coast. The state's fuel tax of 28.5 cents per gallon is middle-of-the-road nationally, but Minnesota's strict environmental fuel standards requiring special summer blends add approximately 5 to 10 cents per gallon to production costs compared to national-standard fuel. Summer demand spikes in July and August, combined with pipeline maintenance schedules and Canadian crude supply variability, create seasonal pressure on Midwest prices during this period.

From Crude Oil to the Pump

WTI crude oil is currently trading at $88.58 per barrel while Brent crude sits at $96.12 per barrel, with the $7.54 spread reflecting transportation and quality differences affecting US refineries. Increases in crude oil prices typically reach Minnesota pump prices within 2 to 6 weeks as refineries adjust their purchasing and production schedules, meaning the current spike may partly reflect crude price movements from mid-July. The recent crude strength suggests further upward pressure on Minnesota gas prices in the coming weeks unless demand weakens or refinery utilization increases.

💡 Money-Saving Tip: Minnesota drivers should consider filling up early in the week, typically Monday through Wednesday mornings, when prices tend to be 3 to 5 cents lower than weekend peaks; track prices using GasBuddy's Minnesota heat map to identify the cheapest stations in your area. Additionally, consider switching to E85 ethanol blend fuel at participating Minnesota stations if your vehicle is flex-fuel compatible—ethanol typically costs 30 to 50 cents less per gallon and supports local agriculture while reducing your fuel expenses by 10 to 15 percent.

Price Outlook for Minnesota

With crude oil prices remaining elevated and summer driving season still in full swing through August, Minnesota gas prices are likely to remain firm or edge higher over the next 10 to 14 days unless refinery output increases significantly or crude markets soften. Watch for potential price relief in September as summer blend requirements end and driving demand begins to decline seasonally, which historically brings 15 to 25 cent relief at Minnesota pumps.