Illinois gas prices continue to decline at the pump compared to a week ago. Illinois drivers are now paying an average price of $3.61 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Today’s state average is 8 cents less than a week ago and a month ago, and 73 cents less than this time last year.
Across the country, domestic pump prices maintained their daily decline despite the uncertainty rippling through the oil market in the days since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel. Oil prices have risen a few dollars per barrel this week, but that is far from the roughly $40 per barrel temporary spike following last year’s Russian invasion of Ukraine. The critical difference is that Russia is a significant oil producer, while Israel and the Palestinian territories are not.
“As long as this war does not spread to include more countries in the region, the effect on the oil market will remain muted,” said Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Here in the US, there are now nine states with some county gas averages below $3 a gallon, and this number will likely increase in the coming weeks.”
The U.S. price of crude oil settled at $87.69 per barrel Friday. That’s $4.90 per barrel (6%) more than the week before, but well below the $93/b highs we saw on September 27th. The increase came after The Group of Seven (G7) announced plans to provide financial assistance to Ukraine by tightening sanctions against Russia. The market is also uneasy about the Israel-Gaza conflict. On Sunday night, the price of oil was trending lower in overnight trading.
| Today | Sunday | Week Ago | Month Ago | One Year Ago | |
| National | $3.600 | $3.601 | $3.704 | $3.871 | $3.888 |
| Illinois | $3.614 | $3.620 | $3.687 | $3.967 | $4.336 |
| Chicago Metro | $3.710 | $3.717 | $3.785 | $4.149 | $4.565 |
| Chicago City | $4.009 | $4.084 | $4.166 | $4.510 | $4.857 |
| Bloomington | $3.406 | $3.404 | $3.481 | $3.712 | $4.143 |
| Champaign | $3.586 | $3.591 | $3.619 | $3.738 | $4.216 |
| Peoria | $3.601 | $3.606 | $3.655 | $3.835 | $4.291 |
| Rockford | $3.621 | $3.624 | $3.670 | $3.932 | $4.270 |
| Springfield | $3.586 | $3.588 | $3.660 | $3.708 | $4.145 |
Ways to Save on Gasoline
- Combine errands to limit driving time.
- Shop around for the best gas prices in your community.
- Pay with cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
- Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds taken out of the vehicle improves fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
- Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.
AAA Resources for Drivers
- Enroll in savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon each additional trip to the pump. Click here for more information.
- Get a tune-up. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained to optimize its fuel economy. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified repair shop.
- Find the lowest gas prices in your area by using the free AAA mobile app.
- Determine anticipated fuel costs for your trip by using the AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator.
Drivers can find current gas prices using AAA.com/FuelFinder which allows consumers to compare gas prices at retailers by city or zip code.
***Courtesy of The Auto Club Group***
