AAA Chicago: Fuel Prices Up Considerably to Start New Year

American Driver

AURORA, Ill.--Over the past month, fuel prices have increased in Illinois and northern Indiana, largely due to the continued rising price of oil. AAA Chicago’s most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 17 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $2.84 per gallon for the month of January, which is also $.93 higher per gallon than last year.

“Unfortunately, until oil prices start to come down, consumers should get used to paying these prices.”

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.77, which up 24 cents from December 2009 and up $.86 from January 2009.

“Gas prices are trending very high for this time of year,” says Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago’s spokesperson. “Unfortunately, until oil prices start to come down, consumers should get used to paying these prices.”

In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.96, which is up $.40 cents from last month and $.94 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.
In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.86 per gallon, which is a 27-cent increase from December and $.92 higher than last year.
In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.85 per gallon, which is 23 cents higher compared to last month and $.91 higher than January 2009’s price.
In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.83 per gallon, which is 29 cents higher than last month and up by $.91 compared to this time last year.
In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.85 per gallon, which is 24 cents higher than month’s average and $.91 higher than January 2009’s price.
In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.84 per gallon, which is 20 cents higher compared to last month and $.89 higher compared to last year.
In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.77 per gallon, an increase of 13 cents from December and an increase of $.91 from last year.
In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.73 per gallon, which is 11 cents higher than last month and $.85 higher than last year.
In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.75 per gallon, which is a 19-cent increase compared to last month and a $.87 increase from January 2009.
In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.69 per gallon, which is 16 cents higher than last month and $.84 higher than last year.
In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.79 per gallon, a decrease of 7 cents from December and an increase of $.85 from January 2009.
In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.77 per gallon, which is an increase of 23 cents from last month and $.82 higher than January 2009’s price.
In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.77 per gallon, a 25-cent increase from January’s average and a $.85 increase from a year ago.
In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.77 per gallon, which is 13 cents higher than last month and $.86 higher than last year.
In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.75 per gallon, which is 10 cents higher compared to last month and $.85 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.