By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – With school about to start, many families are taking one last road trip.
This year they are saving at the pump compared to last year’s gas prices. Triple-A spokeswoman Beth Mosher said that the tourism industry is being helped as gas prices have decreased.
“It has been very good for the tourism industry this year, we have seen a lot of increase of travel,” Mosher said. “That hits the tourism industry very favorably.”
Many drivers across McLean County have saved money as prices are down an average of $.28 this month and $.52 lower than last year.
Gas prices in the Bloomington-Normal area have dropped to close to $2 per gallon, and in some cases below $2.
“We can’t say whether it’s a new norm, it certainly is going to be a norm this year,” added Mosher. “We predicted at the beginning of the year that we would have a very mild year. We didn’t think that gas prices would go above three dollars. That is going to continue this year.”
“The Midwest region is one of the most volatile in the county and refinery issues can affect prices dramatically in short periods of time,” Mosher said. “Despite these challenges there is still ample supply which is helping to push prices lower as we head into the last full month of summer. Drivers taking on last summer road trips will enjoy low prices no matter where they’re headed.”
But, as refinery issues have occurred, many gas prices across the state have varied.
“Over the past few weeks Illinois has experienced some refinery issue,” added Mosher. “The refinery issues are mainly in the northern part of the state. That can effect the entire system.”
The low gas prices have made vacation a possibility for many central Illinois families.
Blake Haas can be reached at Blake.Haas@cumulus.com.
