By Jake Fogal
BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices continue to drop across the state as the latest gas report shows prices at the pump are down less than a cent over the past week.
According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 81 cents a gallon lower than a year ago.
The cheapest station in Illinois was priced at $2.97 a gallon, while the most expensive was $4.68 a gallon.
On the national stage, gas has rose 3.5 cents over the past week, averaging $3.36 a gallon.
Over the past month, gas is down 6.5 cents per gallon and stands 69 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
“The national average rose last week as the transition to summer gasoline ahs now started across the entire country. The higher cost of these various blends is being passed along to motorists, as we see every year ahead of the summer driving season,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“Some regions are moving to the required summer gasoline in different steps then others, and the fragmentation of the required blends absolutely plays a role in these price increases. Logistical challenges in making the transition during a time when refiners are also doing maintenance work can create hotspots and lead to noticeable jumps in pries during the spring. While we may not see weekly increases, the overall the trend will remain upward through much of the spring. By Memorial Day, most of the nation will be transitioned to their respective required blend of fuel, and gas prices could ease, but a $4 per gallon national average remains possible by then.,”
Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].
