AAA Chicago: Volatile February Gas Prices Highest Ever for This Time of Year

February Regional Prices Still Lower Than Many Other Parts of the Country

AURORA, IL--March 1, 2012: AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased $.07 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.57 per gallon for the month of February, which is $.27 higher per gallon than last year.

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $3.50, which is up 12 cents from January 2012 and up $.30 from February 2011. Both Illinois and northern Indiana February averages represent the highest prices ever for the month of February.

"February's gas prices were extremely volatile, with a period of decreasing prices and days when the Chicago region's averages were lower than the national average, which has never happened before," said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA Chicago. "We also saw periods of high day-over-day price jumps at the end of the month, which escalated prices very quickly."

In Cook County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.71, which is up 2 cents from last month and $.25 higher than February 2011's price.
In DuPage County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.58 per gallon, which is a 2 cents increase from January and up 25 cents from February 2011's price.
In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.55 per gallon, which is up 2 cents compared to last month and $.24 higher than February 2011's price.
In Lake County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.54 per gallon, which is 3 cents higher than last month and up by $.24 compared to February 2011's price.
In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.51 per gallon, which is 1 cent higher than last month's average and $.21 higher than February 2011's price.
In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.54 per gallon, which is 4 cents higher compared to last month and $.23 higher compared to February 2011's price.
In Champaign County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.46 per gallon, an increase of 17 cents from January and an increase of $.30 from February 2011's price
In McLean County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.48 per gallon, which is 16 cents higher than last month and $.24 higher than February 2011's price
In Peoria County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.50 per gallon, which is up 12 cents compared to last month and up $.29 from February 2011's price.
In Sangamon County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.46 per gallon, which is 11 cents higher than last month and $.25 higher than February 2011's price.
In Winnebago County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.55 per gallon, an increase of 10 cents from January and $.34 higher than February 2011's price.
In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.47 per gallon, which is an increase of 11 cents from last month and $.30 higher than February 2011's price.
In Lake County , Ind. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.50 per gallon, a 12 cents increase from January's average and a $.30 increase than February 2011's price.
In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.49 per gallon, which is 13 cents higher than last month and $.32 higher than February 2011's price.
In St. Joseph County , Ind. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.48 per gallon, which is 6 cents higher compared to last month and $.30 higher compared February 2011's price.

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