AAA Chicago: Gas Prices Climb Heading Into May 2013

Be Scared Be Verrry Scared

AURORA, Ill., May 1, 2013 -- �Gas price averages for Illinois and Indiana are continuing on a high streak. Illinois and Indiana drivers are currently paying on average, $3.91 and $3.67 respectively for a gallon of regular unleaded. While much of the rest of the U.S. has dropped in prices, Illinois, Indiana and the Midwest prices are increasing. Illinois averages are currently the highest in the continental U.S., and with a price of $4.32, Chicago has the highest city average in the continental U.S.

In April in Illinois, gas prices averaged $3.79, which was down $.06 from March and down $.31 from a year ago. In northern Indiana, gas prices averaged $3.75 in April, which is down $.03 from March and down $.31 from April 2012.

"As Midwest refineries switched over to use a summer blend of gasoline, the markets were much more sensitive to unexpected disruptions in production such as the recent storms and flooding," said Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago spokesperson. "This disruption sent already high prices even higher and now consumers are paying the price."��

Other April monthly averages across the region:

In Cook County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $4.06, which is down $.01 from last month and $.31 lower than last year's price-per-gallon.
In DuPage County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.90 per gallon, which is a $.01 decrease from March and down $.30 from last year.
In Kane County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.86 per gallon, which is $.03 lower compared to last month and $.30 lower than April 2012's price.
In Lake County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.87 per gallon, which is $.01 lower than last month and down by $.28 compared to this time last year.
In McHenry County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.85 per gallon, which is $.02 lower than last month's average and $.29 lower than April 2012's price.
In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.88 per gallon, which is $.01 lower compared to last month and $.27 lower compared to last year.
In Champaign County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.59 per gallon, a decrease of $.11 from March and an decrease of $.25 from last year.
In McLean County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.52 per gallon, which is $.10 lower from last month and $.33 lower than last year.
In Peoria County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.63 per gallon, which is down $.10 compared to last month and down $.25 from April 2012.
In Sangamon County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.54 per gallon, which is $.12 lower than last month and $.34 lower than last year.
In Winnebago County , Ill. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.64 per gallon, an decrease of $.10 from March and $.30 lower than April 2012.
In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.55 per gallon, which is $.15 lower from last month and $.29 lower than April 2012's price.
In Lake County , Ind. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.75 per gallon, a $.03 decrease from March's average and a $.31 decrease from a year ago.
In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.73 per gallon, which is $.03 lower than last month and $.31 lower than last year.
In St. Joseph County , Ind. , self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.62 per gallon, which is $.15 lower compared to last month and $.29 lower compared to last year.

Learn how to save money on gas with a few simple tips from AAA .

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