AAA Chicago Says Gasoline Prices Continue the Rise Since Mid-February

AURORA, Ill., March. 21 -- The statewide average for gasoline in Illinois and Northern Indiana has increased in the past month. Illinois motorists will pay an average of $2.08 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, according to AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report. That's up 18 cents from a month ago and 46 cents higher than gas prices for this time last year. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $2.09, which is up 24 cents from February and up 45 cents from March 2004.

"There has been a significant increase in the price of gasoline during the past month due to price of crude oil," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago spokeswoman. "Crude oil prices are nearly $20 per barrel more than last month. In addition, the refineries are preparing to switch to the production of reformulated gasoline, which could provide some upward pressure on the gasoline prices heading into the summer travel season."

In Cook County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.19, which is up 20 cents compared to last month and 38 cents higher than last year's price-per-gallon.

In DuPage County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.12 per gallon, which is a 23-cent increase from February and 39 cents higher than last year.

In Kane County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.09 per gallon, which is up by 20 cents compared to last month and 39 cents higher than March 2004's price.

In Lake County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.09 per gallon, which is up by 21 cents in the last month and up by 39 cents compared to this time last year.

In McHenry County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.09 per gallon, which is up 19 cents from February's average and 35 cents higher than March 2004's price.

In Will County self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.08 per gallon, which is 21 cents higher compared to last month and 40 cents higher compared to last year.

For more than 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

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 46 million members in the United States and Canada.