AAA Chicago: February Monthly Fuel Average Drops but Prices Still Higher than Last Year

AURORA, Ill., Feb. 13, 2008 -- Fuel prices have fallen since setting record highs for January in Illinois and northern Indiana. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has decreased 16 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.03 per gallon for the month of February, which is 76 cents higher per gallon than last year.

"Fuel prices continue to fluctuate month-to-month largely due to crude oil prices and consumption rates," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson. "Additionally, some refineries are not operating at full capacity, which could further cause prices at the pump to fluctuate."

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.97, which is down 17 cents from January and up 69 cents from February 2007.

   *  In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $3.15, which is down 12 cents compared to last month and 79 cents
      higher than last year's price-per-gallon.
   *  In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $3.04 per gallon, which is a 16-cent decrease from January and
      78 cents higher than last year.
   *  In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $3.03 per gallon, which is 15 cents lower compared to last month and
      77 cents higher than February 2007's price.
   *  In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.99 per gallon, which is 18 cents lower than last month and up by
      74 cents compared to this time last year.
   *  In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.98 per gallon, which is 19 cents lower than January's average and
      71 cents higher than February 2007's price.
   *  In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $3.03 per gallon, which is 18 cents lower compared to last month and
      74 cents higher compared to last year.
   *  In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.87 per gallon, a decrease of 21 cents from January and an
      increase of 63 cents from last year.
   *  In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.98 per gallon, which is 15 cents lower than last month and 79 cents
      lower than last year.
   *  In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.95 per gallon, which is a 19-cent decrease compared to last month
      and a 70-cent increase from February 2007.
   *  In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.93 per gallon, which is 20 cents lower than last month and
      70 cents higher than last year.
   *  In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $3.04 per gallon, a decrease of 22 cents from January and an
      increase of 79 cents from February 2007.
   *  In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.97 per gallon, which is a decrease of 19 cents from last month and
      68 cents higher than February 2007's price.
   *  In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.96 per gallon, a 18-cent decrease from January's average and a
      67-cent increase from a year ago.
   *  In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
      $2.98 per gallon, which is 16 cents lower than last month and 73 cents
      higher than last year.
   *  In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
      averages $2.96 per gallon, which is 20 cents lower compared to last
      month and 65  higher compared to last year.

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

AAA Chicago has represented roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues for more than a century.

For more information on any aspect of AAA Chicago's breadth of service including AAA's home, auto and life insurance products; travel-related services, AAA's Show Your Card & Save program; and/or any AAA membership service including emergency roadside assistance, please visit our Web site at http://www.aaa.com/ or call us toll-free at 1-866-YOUR-AAA (968-7222).