My “old person” habit is that I am a chronic gas price analyzer. I am constantly looking at and comparing gas prices around town, and will be the first one to say, “Wow, gas is only ___ there, I got it for ___! 😡” I’m cheap, ok? Much like the stock market, I have only a vague idea of what makes the numbers go up and down.
But things have gotten a bit clearer now thatgas has risen over $1 in just over two weeks, currently at $3.99/gal in downtown Grand Rapids. It is one cent away from breaking the $4/gal mark, a mark not reached since 2024.
The increase in gas prices has been directly correlated with the Trump Administration’s surprise war on Iran, one of the biggest oil distributors in the world. In response, Iran has halted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with ramifications around the globe.
Gas Prices In Grand Rapids, March 17th, 2026
Grand Rapids gas prices for most of 2025 were all over the place, reaching as high as $3.47 and dropping to $2.47, but spending much of the year between $3.33 and $3.05, according to Gas Buddy. 2026 was off to a good start, with prices starting at $2.49 and hovering between $2.90 and $3.00…