By Jake Fogal
BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois jumped up last week by 43 cents, averaging $5.44 a gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $4.59 while the most expensive is $6.79.
Gas prices in the state are 85 cents higher than a month ago and $2.20 more expensive compared to this time last year.
The national average was up 26 cents over the past week, averaging $4.85 a gallon.
“After a blistering week of gas prices jumping in nearly every town, city, state, and area possible, more bad news is on the horizon. It now appears not if, but when, we’ll hit that psychologically critical $5 national average,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“Gasoline inventories continue to decline even with demand softening due to high prices, a culmination of less refining capacity than we had prior to Covid and strong consumption, a situation that doesn’t look to improve drastically anytime soon. Nine states have average gas prices that stand beyond the $5 per gallon mark, with more set to join in the days and weeks ahead. In addition, diesel prices also stand at a record high, a second gut-punch to consumers which pushes prices of most goods higher.”
Jake Fogal can be reached at Jacob.Fogal@Cumulus.com.
