Gas Prices Continue Upward Trend in February, According to AAA Chicago

AURORA, Ill., Feb. 18, 2004 -- According to AAA Chicago's most recent fuel gauge report, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois now averages $1.68 per gallon, which is up 9 cents from this time last month and up 3 cents from last year's prices. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $1.66, which is up 11 cents from last month an up 4 cents from last year's prices.

In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.81 per gallon, which is up 12 cents from last month and up 11 cents from last year.

In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.74 per gallon, 12 cents higher than January prices and 12 cents higher than last year.

In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.72 per gallon, 13 cents higher than January prices and 10 cents higher than last year's prices.

In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.72 per gallon, 11 cents higher than January prices and 9 cents higher than last year.

In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.74 per gallon, 11 cents higher than January prices and 11 cents higher than last year.

In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.69 per gallon, 12 cents higher than January prices and 6 cents higher than last year.

"The main driver of these unusually high gas prices continues to be the high cost of crude oil, which remains around $35 a barrel," said AAA Chicago spokesman Steve Nolan. "Unfortunately, refineries will begin their switch over to the production of reformulated gasoline in the coming months, which means motorists might have to contend with even higher gasoline prices at the pumps as the weather warms up."

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada.