CSP, June 15, 2026: Are super-high pump prices over? Gasoline price down 34 cents to $4.24 per gallon: Lundberg

CSP, May 28, 2026: Pump price up 4 cents to $4.59 Retailers still coping with ultra-low gasoline margin: Lundberg

CSP, Apr. 27, 2026: Gasoline price down 8 cents Retailers get partial margin recovery—for now: Lundberg

CSP, Apr. 13, 2026: Pump price up another 16 cents Retailer gasoline margin crushed by wholesale price hikes: Lundberg

CSP, Mar. 31, 2026: U.S. gasoline prices rise another 46 cents April may see another $1 or more in price hikes if oil prices rise further: Lundberg

CSP, March 16, 2026: U.S. gasoline prices surge 57.8 cents amid Middle East oil crisis, with more hikes expected National average hits $3.599 per gallon as supply disruptions and crude oil price spikes drive potential increases of up to 50 cents

CSP, June 15, 2026: Are super-high pump prices over? Gasoline price down 34 cents to $4.24 per gallon: Lundberg Jun. 15, 2026 CSPDailyNews.com Article: The U.S. average retail price of regular grade gasoline crashed down 32.4 cents per gallon in the past three weeks. The new average is $4.243. The highest price so far this year was three weeks ago at $4.587. It is quite possible that it will not be exceeded in 2026. One year ago, the average retail price was $1.04 per gallon lower at $3.205. It was mostly far lower crude oil prices that sent retail gasoline prices plunging down. The West Texas intermediate near-month futures contract price was $96.60 per barrel three weeks ago, versus $84.88 on Friday. Oil prices responded to more optimistic indicators that an end to the U.S.-Iran war, and the near-stoppage of vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, is truly imminent. While the White House said that it is, the seemingly dominant voices within Iran continue to say that it is not. The U.S. administration points to a secret mission in which it has been protecting commercial vessels in the strait during recent weeks, enhancing oil supply; however, the increase in oil flow through the strait has made hardly a dent in the overwhelming loss. At the same time, during this period U.S. gasoline stocks expanded. And U.S. refiners upped the aggregate use rate of total refining capacity by a dramatic 3.7 percentage points. The current 95.3% utilization rate is achieved just as gasoline demand enters its peak summer period. Downstream margins in this period declined for refiners but were a gain for retailers. Retail margin managed a handsome 25.6 cents per gallon rise on regular grade, to an impressive 48.2 cents, per Lundberg Survey. That average margin may well slide down some following the Friday snapshot. The retail margin enhancement happened thanks to the eye-opening wholesale price cuts, with Lundberg's weighted average falling 61.5 cents per gallon to $3.146. Right now, just in the past two days, wholesale buying prices look to have hit bottom, with unbranded rack rising by a penny nationally on Friday. Greater increases during the past two days came in many markets, especially in the Midwest. Given the powerful yo-yo effect that global crude oil prices have upon U.S. gasoline prices, and given that future oil price outcomes from Iran War and Strait of Hormuz traffic flow cannot be known, summer pump prices can't be predicted. However, further pump price drops—maybe 10 to 15 cents per gallon—may be on the way. This is because many retailers are still in the process of passing through lower wholesale buying prices, refiners' impressive run rates are spreading supply abundance, and high gasoline prices are taking a toll on motorist gasoline demand. If that does occur, then there is a decent chance that the 2026 pump price peak may already be behind us. Trilby Lundberg is publisher of the Lundberg Survey of U.S. fuel markets. Lundberg Survey Inc. is based in Camarillo, California. Click here for previous Lundberg Survey reports in CSP Daily News.

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