AAA Chicago: March Monthly Fuel Average Rises Sharply

AURORA, Ill.--Fuel prices have risen again during the last month to well over $3 a gallon in Illinois and northern Indiana. AAA Chicago’s most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 23 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.26 per gallon for the month of March, which is 74 cents higher per gallon than last year.

“Gasoline prices are up almost a quarter in most areas compared to last month,” says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago’s spokesperson. “The record high crude oil prices and the weak dollar are the primary reasons we’ve seen such an increase.”

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $3.21, which is up 24 cents from February and up 75 cents from March 2007.

• In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.37, which is up 22 cents compared to last month and 77 cents higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.
• In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is a 20-cent increase from February and 78 cents higher than last year.
• In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.25 per gallon, which is 22 cents higher compared to last month and 75 cents higher than March 2007’s price.
• In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.22 per gallon, which is 23 cents higher than last month and up by 75 cents compared to this time last year.
• In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is 26 cents higher than February’s average and 74 cents higher than March 2007’s price.
• In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.26 per gallon, which is 23 cents higher compared to last month and 77 cents higher compared to last year.
• In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.14 per gallon, an increase of 27 cents from February and an increase of 67 cents from last year.
• In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.20 per gallon, which is 22 cents higher than last month and 68 cents higher than last year.
• In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.29 per gallon, which is a 34-cent increase compared to last month and a 76-cent increase from March 2007.
• In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.18 per gallon, which is 25 cents higher than last month and 66 cents higher than last year.
• In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.28 per gallon, an increase of 24 cents from February and an increase of 73 cents from March 2007.
• In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.29 per gallon, which is an increase of 32 cents from last month and 76 cents higher than March 2007’s price.
• In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.20 per gallon, a 24-cent increase from February’s average and a 74-cent increase from a year ago.
• In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is 26 cents higher than last month and 79 cents higher than last year.
• In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.26 per gallon, which is 30 cents higher compared to last month and 75 cents higher compared to last year.

Fuel prices are posted on-line at www.fuelgaugereport.com, which updates prices daily for unleaded, diesel and E85 blends of fuel.