Twin Cities gas climbs to $4.19 as Russian refinery attacks squeeze supply
Twin Cities average gasoline price rose to $4.19 per gallon on Monday, August 24, 2026, an 18.2-cent weekly jump that tightens household budgets as refinery disruptions squeeze supply.[1]
The increase is 6.5 cents above a month ago and $1.18 more than a year earlier, with metro pump prices now ranging from $3.60 to $4.39 and statewide spreads widening to $3.46 to $4.85.[1]
The national average for gasoline hit $4.05 per gallon, raising the chance of a record Labor Day pump price.[1] National diesel climbed to $5.584 per gallon, leaving it less than 25 cents shy of its all-time high.[1] GasBuddy and analyst Patrick De Haan said the dominant driver is a growing loss of Russian refinery capacity from ongoing Ukrainian attacks, even as some shipments still move through the Strait of Hormuz.[1]
On Monday, August 17, the Twin Cities average had climbed to $4.00 after a 16.3-cent weekly gain, reversing a prior sub-$4 trend.[2] Earlier reporting tied that rise to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and refinery strikes, and analysts warned relief might hinge on the seasonal switch to winter-blend gasoline.[2]
Prices had briefly dipped earlier in August amid reports another Iran deal was in the works, underscoring how quickly geopolitical developments can shift local pump costs.[3] The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategic chokepoint, so disruptions there can quickly tighten global fuel supplies.
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📌 Key Facts
- Twin Cities average gasoline price rose to $4.19 per gallon on Monday, August 24, 2026, an 18.2-cent weekly increase, 6.5 cents higher than a month ago and $1.18 above last year (Twin Cities average gasoline price).
- That followed a report on Monday, August 17, 2026 that the Twin Cities average had been $4.00 per gallon after a 16.3-cent weekly jump, reversing a prior sub-$4 trend (Twin Cities average).
- Minnesota's statewide average was $3.96 per gallon as of Monday, August 17, 2026, up 13.8 cents in a week, with statewide prices then ranging $3.37 to $4.86 and about a 70-cent spread across metro stations (Minnesota's statewide average).
- By Monday, August 24, 2026 local station spreads had widened: Twin Cities prices ranged from $3.60 to $4.39 per gallon, and statewide spreads from $3.46 to $4.85 (Twin Cities prices ranged).
- The national average gasoline price reached $4.05 per gallon by Monday, August 24, 2026 — potentially the highest level ever recorded this late in the calendar year and raising the prospect of a record Labor Day price (National average gasoline).
- National diesel climbed to $5.584 per gallon (up 16.6 cents in a week) by Monday, August 24, 2026, placing it less than 25 cents below the all-time record (National diesel).
- GasBuddy and analyst Patrick De Haan attribute the recent gasoline and diesel price increases to factors including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, refinery strikes and ongoing Ukrainian attacks that are causing a growing loss of Russian refinery capacity, and De Haan said any relief may depend on the seasonal switch to winter‑blend gasoline (Patrick De Haan).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Twin Cities average gasoline price has risen another 18.2 cents in the last week to $4.19 per gallon, 6.5 cents higher than a month ago and $1.18 higher than a year ago.
- The local station price spread widened, with Twin Cities prices ranging from $3.60 to $4.39 per gallon, and a statewide spread from $3.46 to $4.85.
- National average gasoline is now $4.05 per gallon, potentially the highest level ever recorded this late in the calendar year, raising the prospect of a record Labor Day price.
- National average diesel climbed 16.6 cents in a week to $5.584 per gallon, less than 25 cents below the all-time record high.
- Patrick De Haan now emphasizes the ‘growing loss of Russian refinery capacity’ from continued Ukrainian attacks as the dominant force driving both gasoline and diesel prices, with some shipments still moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Twin Cities average gas price has risen 16.3 cents in the last week to exactly $4.00 per gallon, according to a GasBuddy survey of 1,106 stations.
- Prices are now $1.05 per gallon higher than this time last year and 5.8 cents higher than a month ago, reversing the prior sub-$4 trend.
- Minnesota's statewide average is $3.96 per gallon, up 13.8 cents in a week, with a state price range from $3.37 to $4.86 and a 70-cent spread across stations in the metro.
- National diesel prices have climbed 14.3 cents to $5.418 per gallon, with GasBuddy tying both gasoline and diesel increases to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, and refinery strikes.
- Analyst Patrick De Haan now explicitly cites the Strait of Hormuz closure and ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries as key drivers, and notes any relief may depend on the seasonal switch to winter-blend gasoline.