AAA Chicago: Gas price averages fall in July despite recent spikes

News provided by

Aug 01, 2012, 04:32 ET

AURORA, Ill., Aug 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, the average regular unleaded gasoline prices decreased $.08 in July with an average cost of $3.60 for the month. This price is $.27 lower than last year. This is despite the price increases at the end of July, which were largely due to production issues at refineries in Whiting, IN and Lemont, IL.

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

In northern Indiana, gas prices averaged $3.56 in July, which is down $.06 from June 2012 and down $.27 from July 2011. Gas prices for both Illinois and Indiana mark the third-highest average price for July ever recorded.

"Illinois, Indiana and states in the Midwest have seen prices rise since last week due to production issues at the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana and the Citgo refinery in Lemont, Illinois," said Beth Mosher, Director of Public Affairs for AAA Chicago. "With the supply from these refineries impacted, and the associated increase in wholesale prices already seen in the region, there is reason to suspect that prices in the areas supplied by these facilities may continue to rise until the situation is resolved."

Illinois' daily price on July 31, 2012 of $3.71 (not monthly average) was the 6^th highest in the country. The five states with the highest gas prices include: Hawaii ($4.148), Alaska ($3.995), Conn. ($3.818), Calif. ($3.802) and N.Y. ($3.767).

Other monthly averages across the region:

In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.83, which is down $.10 from last month and $.26 lower than last year's price-per-gallon.
In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.70 per gallon, which is a 7-cent decrease from June and down $.24 from last year.
In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.68 per gallon, which is down $.08 compared to last month and $.25 lower than July 2011's price.
In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.68 per gallon, which is $.09 lower than last month and down by $.23 compared to this time last year.
In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.67 per gallon, which is $.08 lower than last month's average and $.23 lower than July 2011's price.
In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.65 per gallon, which is $.06 lower compared to last month and $.23 lower compared to last year.
In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.41 per gallon, a decrease of $.06 from June and a decrease of $.27 from last year.
In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.37 per gallon, which is $.12 lower than last month and $.35 lower than last year.
In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.46 per gallon, which is down $.11 compared to last month and down $.29 from July 2011.
In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.43 per gallon, which is $.03 lower than last month and $.29 lower than last year.
In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.49 per gallon, a decrease of $.10 from June and $.26 lower than July 2011.
In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.44 per gallon, which is a decrease of $.09 from last month and $.28 lower than July 2011's price.
In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.56 per gallon, a 7-cent decrease from June's average and a $.21 decrease from a year ago.
In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.56 per gallon, which is $.04 lower than last month and $.24 lower than last year.
In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.47 per gallon, which is $.10 lower compared to last month and $.27 lower compared to last year.