AAA Chicago: No Love Lost for February Gas Prices

Highest Gas Prices for February start ever in IL/IN; Second Highest for January average

AURORA, IL--Feb. 4, 2013" Illinois and Indiana drivers aren't feeling much love for these February gas prices. Both Illinois and Indiana drivers are currently paying on average, $3.62 for a gallon of regular unleaded. This marks the highest price ever for a February start. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report shows that in Illinois, the average regular unleaded gasoline price increased �$.01 from December 2012, with an average cost of $3.38 for January. This price is still $.12 lower than last year.

In northern Indiana, gas prices averaged $3.30 in January, which is up $.03 from December 2012 and down $.08 from January 2012. For both Illinois and Indiana, this is the second highest January monthly average ever.

"Drivers in Illinois and Indiana are seeing significant price increases due to rising crude oil prices, decreased gasoline supplies and area refinery issues," said Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago spokesperson.�

Other January monthly averages across the region:

In Cook County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.53, which is down $.02 from last month and $.14 lower than last year's price-per-gallon.
In DuPage County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.41 per gallon, which is a $.03 increase from December 2012 and down $.15 from last year.
In Kane County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.38 per gallon, which is $.02 higher compared to last month and $.15 lower than January 2012's price.
In Lake County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.38 per gallon, which is $.01 higher than last month and down by $.13 compared to this time last year.
In McHenry County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.37 per gallon, which is $.03 higher than last month's average and $.13 lower than January 2012's price.
In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.38 per gallon, which is $.02 high compared to last month and $.12 lower compared to last year.
In Champaign County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, a decrease of $.05 from December 2012 and a decrease of $.01 from last year.
In McLean County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is $.04 higher from last month and $.08 lower than last year.
In Peoria County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.28 per gallon, which is up $.01 compared to last month and down $.11 from January 2012.
In Sangamon County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is $.03 lower than last month and $.11 lower than last year.
In Winnebago County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.32 per gallon, an increase of $.01 from December 2012 and $.13 lower than January 2012.
In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.31 per gallon, which is $.08 higher from last month and $.05 lower than January 2012's price.
In Lake County , Ind. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.33 per gallon, a $.02 increase from December 2012's average and a $.08 decrease from a year ago.
In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.29 per gallon, which is $.04 higher than last month and $.07 lower than last year.
In St. Joseph County , Ind. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.33 per gallon, which is $.03 higher compared to last month and $.09 lower compared to last year.

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