Gas Prices Toronto Today and Tomorrow: Rates, Predictions & Tips

Anyone who’s glanced at the pump this week in Toronto has noticed the same thing: the number jumped overnight, and another increase is coming tomorrow, driven by U.S. tariff decisions and the seasonal switch to summer blend. Here’s what prices are doing right now, when it’s cheapest to buy, and what’s behind the swings.

Average gas price in Toronto today: 185.9 cents/L ·
Expected change tomorrow: +10 cents/L ·
Cheapest day of the week: Monday/Tuesday ·
Best time to buy: After 6 p.m.

Five key facts, one pattern: Toronto gas prices are rising in a predictable rhythm shaped by daily cycles, weekly resets, and external policy shocks.

How much is gas in Toronto today?

Current average price in Toronto GTA

• As of 12:01 a.m. on May 5, 2026, regular gas in Toronto averaged 185.9 cents per litre (CityNews Toronto fuel tracker).
• GasBuddy reported a similar figure of 188.9 cents/L on May 5, reflecting station-by-station variation (GasBuddy Toronto prices).
• Stockr forecast 188.9 cents/L for Tuesday, May 5 (Stockr Toronto gas forecast).

Where to find the cheapest gas today

• GasBuddy’s top-10 list shows stations near major intersections often 5-7 cents cheaper than GTA average (GasBuddy Toronto prices).
• CP24’s price map offers real-time comparisons across the city (CP24 Toronto gas tracker).

Are gas prices going up tomorrow in Ontario?

Yes, En-Pro forecasts a 10-cent increase to 195.9 cents/L at midnight on May 6, 2026 (CityNews Toronto fuel tracker).

The pattern: today’s price is the starting line. The real challenge is predicting where it goes next.

Why is Canadian gas going up?

Seasonal factors

• The switch to summer-blend gasoline adds 4-8 cents per litre because refineries must produce a more expensive formula (Toronto Star business section).

Global crude oil prices

• Crude oil accounts for roughly 40% of pump price. OPEC+ production cuts and geopolitical tensions in early 2026 kept Brent above $75/barrel (Reuters energy policy team).

Refinery maintenance

• Late April 2026, planned maintenance at Ontario refineries caused a 14-cent/L spike (Toronto Star business section).

Carbon tax and tariffs

• The Ontario Ministry of Energy confirms no active carbon tax adjustments impacting May 2026 prices (Ontario Government fuel price page).
• However, U.S. 25% tariffs on Canadian energy imports announced in March 2025 caused an initial 8-12 cent spike (Reuters energy policy team). By mid-2026, bilateral exemptions on refined fuels partly moderated the impact (BNN Bloomberg energy desk).

What this means: multiple forces are converging at once — seasonal, geopolitical, and policy-driven. Toronto drivers are absorbing the compound effect.

What time do gas prices drop in Toronto?

The 6 p.m. rule

• Buying after 6 p.m. can save money because many stations lower prices in the evening to compete for commuters (CBC News Toronto).

Why retailers change prices at midnight

• Price adjustments typically happen at 12:01 a.m. after En-Pro and other forecasters publish next-day predictions (Global News Ontario fuel forecast).
• Not all stations follow the exact same schedule, but the midnight shift is the most common.

The catch: the 6 p.m. rule works best on Monday or Tuesday. On Thursday and Friday, evening prices may already reflect weekend hikes.

What day is gas the cheapest?

Monday vs. Tuesday

• Historical pricing data from GasBuddy and CBC indicates that Monday and Tuesday after 6 p.m. consistently offer the lowest weekly prices (GasBuddy historical data) (CBC News Toronto).

Historical pricing data

• Global News notes that prices tend to drop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as weekly cycles reset (Global News Ontario fuel forecast).
• Weekend mornings (Saturday and Sunday before 10 a.m.) are historically the most expensive time to fill up.

Why this matters: if you can plan fill-ups for Monday or Tuesday evening, you’ll pay 5-10 cents less per litre compared to Friday afternoon. Over a full tank (50 litres), that’s $2.50 to $5.00 saved each week.

Will gas prices go up after tariffs on Canada?

Impact of US tariffs on Canadian gas

• The 2025 tariff announcement by President Trump included a 25% levy on Canadian energy imports (Reuters energy policy team). Immediate effect: 8-12 cent/L spike in Ontario.
• By April 2026, refined fuel exemptions negotiated between Canada and the U.S. partially offset the impact (BNN Bloomberg energy desk).

Short-term vs. long-term outlook

• En-Pro’s forecast of a 10-cent hike on May 6 suggests short-term upward pressure remains (CityNews Toronto fuel tracker).
• Experts quoted by CTV News expect prices to remain elevated through spring 2026, with possible moderation in summer if global crude eases.

The trade-off: tariffs added a structural floor to Canadian gas prices. Even with exemptions, the net effect is a permanent increase of roughly 5-8 cents/L compared to pre-tariff levels.

Timeline

• March 2025 – U.S. President Trump announces 25% tariffs on Canadian energy imports (Reuters energy policy team).
• Late April 2026 – Ontario refinery maintenance pushes prices up 14 cents/L (Toronto Star business section).
• May 5-6, 2026 – En-Pro forecasts a 10-cent increase to 195.9 cents/L (CityNews Toronto fuel tracker).

These events illustrate the compounding pressures on Toronto gas prices.

What’s confirmed — and what’s still unclear

What drivers are saying

“The 25% tariff on Canadian energy will take effect immediately, raising costs for American consumers and putting upward pressure on prices across the border.”

President Donald Trump, tariff announcement, March 2025 (cited by Reuters)

“The cheapest days to buy gas in Toronto after 6 p.m. are almost always Mondays or Tuesdays. That’s when stations adjust for weekly resets.”

Anonymous gas price analyst, cited by CTV News

Bottom line: Toronto drivers face a clear short-term strategy: fill up before midnight May 5 to avoid the 10-cent jump, then target Monday or Tuesday evening for the next low. The broader outlook depends on tariff negotiations and summer demand. For the average commuter filling twice a week, switching to Monday after 6 p.m. saves roughly $200 a year. For fleets and businesses, the implication is bigger: lock in fuel contracts early, or accept the ripple of a tariff-shaped market.

Frequently asked questions