Why Gasoline Is Sticking at Four Dollars While Crude Slips

Gasoline prices in the U.S. have been hovering around four dollars a gallon even as crude oil pulls back. On this episode of Energy Economics, Lucas and Luna dig into the crack spread — the difference between what refiners pay for crude and what they get for gasoline and diesel — and explain why it's been so stubborn in 2026. They break down the role of refinery capacity constraints, export demand for diesel, and the summer blend transition, using real numbers from the past week: WTI at 86.5 a barrel, Brent at 95.3, and the national average at 4.05. They also look at how the refining glut in the Gulf, a topic from earlier shows, is reshuffling margins and keeping pump prices elevated. If you've been wondering why your fill-up still stings even when oil headlines say prices are falling, this episode walks through the mechanics with clarity and a bit of dry humor. Plus, a quick note on why supporting the show matters — every little bit helps keep these conversations ad-free. #GasolinePrices #CrackSpread #RefiningMargins #EnergyEconomics #OilPrices #WTI #Brent #RefineryCapacity #SummerBlend #DieselExports #GulfCoast #EnergyMarkets #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Economics #Energy #Macro #Inflation Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo