AAA Chicago: August Fuel Prices Drop Below $3

AURORA, Ill., Aug. 15, 2007 -- Fuel prices have declined since mid-July in Illinois and northern Indiana. The average for both states has dropped below $3 for regular unleaded for the first time since April 2007. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has decreased 42 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $2.86 per gallon for the month of August, which is 29 cents lower per gallon from last year.

"Gasoline prices have dipped since last month providing some relief to summer travelers," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson.

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $2.83, which is down 45 cents from July and down 23 cents from August 2006.

  -- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.11, which is down 36 cents compared to last month and 19 cents lower
     than last year's price-per-gallon.

  -- In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.96 per gallon, which is a 36-cent decrease from July and 24 cents
     lower than last year.

  -- In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.94 per gallon, which is 38 cents lower compared to last month and 24
     cents lower than July 2006's price.

  -- In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.88 per gallon, which is 43 cents lower than last month and down by
     31 cents compared to this time last year.

  -- In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.93 per gallon, which is 40 cents lower than July's average and 38
     cents lower than July 2006's price.

  -- In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.00 per gallon, which is 36 cents lower compared to last month and 22
     cents lower compared to last year.

  -- In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.67 per gallon, a decrease of 58 cents from July and a
     decrease of 40 cents from last year.

  -- In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.68 per gallon, which is 53 cents lower than last month and 31 cents
     lower than last year.

  -- In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.70 per gallon, which is a 51-cent decrease compared to last month
     and a 34-cent increase from August 2006.

  -- In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.69 per gallon, which is 50 cents lower than last month and 28 cents
     lower than last year.

  -- In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.83 per gallon, a decrease of 44 cents from July and a
     decrease of 24 cents from July 2006.

  -- In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.68 per gallon, which is a decrease of 44 cents from last month and
     30 cents lower than August 2006's price.

  -- In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.84 per gallon, a 44-cent decrease from July's average and a 24-cent
     decrease from a year ago.

  -- In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $2.81 per gallon, which is 47 cents lower than last month and 24 cents
     lower than last year.

  -- In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $2.69 per gallon, which is 43 cents lower compared to last
     month and 29 cents lower compared to last year.

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).