AAA: January Gas Prices Highest Ever for This Time of Year

AURORA, Ill., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has increased $.16 during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.22 per gallon for the month of January, which is $.38 higher per gallon than last year.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100506/AAACHILOGO)

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $3.09, which is up 16 cents from December 2010 and up $.32 from January 2010. Both Illinois and northern Indiana January averages represent the highest prices ever for the start of a new year.

"Oil prices are trading at nearly $90 per barrel, which is having an enormous effect on the price of gasoline at the pump," said Beth Mosher , director of public affairs for AAA Chicago. "Unfortunately, at least in the near-term, consumers should get used to paying these high prices at the pump."

• In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.37, which is up $.18 from last month and $.41 higher than last year's price-per-gallon.
• In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.25 per gallon, which is a 15-cent increase from December and up 39 cents from last year.
• In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.22 per gallon, which is 16 cents higher compared to last month and $.38 higher than January 2010's price.
• In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.20 per gallon, which is 17 cents higher than last month and up by $.37 compared to this time last year.
• In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.20 per gallon, which is 17 cents higher than last month's average and $.35 higher than January 2010's price.
• In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.23 per gallon, which is 16 cents higher compared to last month and $.39 higher compared to last year.
• In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.15 per gallon, an increase of 19 cents from December and an increase of $.38 from last year.
• In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.11 per gallon, which is 18 cents higher than last month and $.38 higher than last year.
• In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.14 per gallon, which is up $.19 compared to last month and up $.39 from January 2010.
• In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.12 per gallon, which is 19 cents higher than last month and $.43 higher than last year.
• In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.12 per gallon, an increase of 15 cents from December and $.33 higher than January 2010.
• In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.11 per gallon, which is an increase of 17 cents from last month and $.34 higher than January 2010's price.
• In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.09 per gallon, a 16-cent increase from December's average and a $.32 increase from a year ago.
• In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.08 per gallon, which is 16 cents higher than last month and $.32 higher than last year.
• In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.14 per gallon, which is 20 cents higher compared to last month and $.39 higher compared to last year.

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

SOURCE AAA

RELATED LINKS
http://www.fuelgaugereport.com