Drivers make tough choices at the pump as prices rise



Gas price sign showing fuel prices in west st paul

The average price of a gallon of gas in Minnesota jumped 13 cents overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. The price has remained high nationwide amid the ongoing war with Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A gallon of regular gas averaged $3.93 in Minnesota Wednesday, up from about $3.80 Tuesday, according to AAA. Many gas stations in the Twin Cities are over four dollars a gallon.

Drivers stopped at 36 Lyn Refuel Station in south Minneapolis, at the corner of 36th Street and Lyndale Avenue, to buy gas for $3.79 a gallon.

A red sportscar is parked at a gas pump.
Pace Automotive on South Robert Street in St. Paul is selling regular gas at $3.95 per gallon. AAA says the Minnesota average price per gallon is $3.93 as of Wednesday. Prices jumped $0.13 overnight, up from $3.80 on Tuesday.
Regina Medina | MPR News

“This one has lower prices than most. I know that they do match like match pricing with Costco and stuff. So if I can't make it to Costco, I come here. It's more convenient for the area, but, yeah, a lot cheaper than most places,” Ella Rouillard said.

Rouillard is from Minneapolis and works with unhoused youth at the YMCA Youth and Family Services. She said the price of gas greatly affects the people she works with, who are typically about 18-24 years old.

“A lot of youth are couch hopping or living in their cars. So a lot of youth need gas in order to provide themselves a safe place to stay,” she said.

She said the YMCA has been providing more gas cards for them.

Another driver, Arnulfo Flores, who lives in St. Paul, said gas prices have affected the way he lives.

“I mean, who can afford to put $50 to fill your cars up anymore? My truck, it's almost $100. I'm living on a fixed budget, you know. I'm retired, I'm living on my social security,” Flores said. “It affects how much you want to go out and about and everything.”

The national average is about $4.23 a gallon.

“It's very overwhelming. I'm making do because I don't have a choice,” Natasha Haul said, at a gas station in West St. Paul, where gas is $3.95.

Diesel prices are also inching up in Minnesota, now averaging $5.04 a gallon. That’s up about three cents over the past week.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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