AAA Chicago: April Gas Prices Rise Considerably in Past Month

AURORA, IL - April 19, 2010: Fuel prices have increased considerably in Illinois and northern Indiana over the past month. This is attributed to continued high oil prices, which set an 18-month high of $87 per barrel over the past month, as well as uncertainty in the U.S. economy and high demand for oil in China. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased 20 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.00 per gallon for the month of April, which is $.89 higher per gallon than last year.

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.88, which is up 17 cents from March 2010 and up $.81 from April 2009.

"Gas prices have continued to rise and as we head into summer season of higher demand, we don't see this changing soon," says Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago's spokesperson.

-- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.16, which is up $.23 cents from last month and $.95 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 22-cent increase from March and $.93 higher than last year.

-- In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.02 per gallon, which is 21 cents higher compared to last month and $.90 higher than April 2009's price.

-- In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.02 per gallon, which is 24 cents higher than last month and up by $.93 compared to this time last year.

-- In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.02 per gallon, which is 24 cents higher than month's average and $.92 higher than April 2009's price.

-- In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.00 per gallon, which is 23 cents higher compared to last month and $.88 higher compared to last year.

-- In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.88 per gallon, an increase of 16 cents from March and an increase of $.85 from last year.

-- In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.93 per gallon, which is 21 cents higher than last month and $.94 higher than last year.

-- In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.90 per gallon, which is a 14-cent increase compared to last month and a $.89 increase from April 2009.

-- In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.90 per gallon, which is 20 cents higher than last month and $.90 higher than last year.

-- In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.90 per gallon, an increase of 18 cents from March and an increase of $.86 from April 2009.

-- In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.77 per gallon, which is an increase of 9 cents from last month and $.76 higher than April 2009's price.

-- In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.89 per gallon, a 17-cent increase from March's average and a $.82 increase from a year ago.

-- In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.88 per gallon, which is 17 cents higher than last month and $.80 higher than last year.

-- In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.76 per gallon, which is 8 cents higher compared to last month and $.76 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.