Gas Prices Higher Nationwide, But Down Slightly in Great Lakes Region, AAA Says

AURORA, Ill., July 17 -- Gas prices have decreased an average of 3.5 cents in Illinois and Northern Indiana during the past month, but elsewhere in the country prices have increased. Higher wholesale costs for gasoline, the interruption of shipping to the Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season and lingering turmoil in Iraq contributed to this increase.

According to AAA Chicago's most recent fuel gauge report, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois now averages $1.56 per gallon, which is down 4 cents from this time last month and 13 cents from last year's prices. In northern Indiana, gas prices now average $1.46, which is the same as last month and up 3 cents from last year's prices.

In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.67 per gallon, which is down 6 cents from last month.

In DuPage County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline now averages $1.58 per gallon, 7 cents lower than June prices.

In Kane County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.56 per gallon, 7 cents lower than June prices.

In Lake County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.57 per gallon, 7 cents lower than June prices.

In McHenry County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.57 per gallon, 7 cents lower than June prices.

In Will County, self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.55 per gallon, 10 cents lower than June prices.

"Prices at the pump are higher across the country, but the Chicago area is bucking that trend," said AAA Chicago spokesperson Nicole Niemi. "Prices in the Great Lakes area are down, which is a local anomaly."

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 45 million members in the United States and Canada.