AAA Chicago: Fuel Prices Reflect Mixed Trend

AURORA, Ill., July 20 -- Fuel prices have continued to fluctuate during the past month in Illinois and northern Indiana. The average for both states remains over $3. AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline has decreased 2 cents during the past month, forecasting an average cost of $3.28 per gallon for the month of July, which is 15 cents lower per gallon from last year.

"Oil prices hit their highest level in almost one year," says Nicole Niemi, AAA Chicago's spokesperson. "The high price of oil and refinery problems in the Midwest continue to cause motorists to feel a little pain at the pump."

In northern Indiana, gas prices average $3.28, which is up 12 cents from June and up 25 cents from July 2006.

  -- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.47, which is down 12 cents compared to last month and 18 cents
     higher than last year's price-per-gallon.
  -- In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.32 per gallon, which is a 17-cent decrease from June and 13 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.32 per gallon, which is 5 cents lower compared to last month and 14
     cents higher than June 2006's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.31 per gallon, which is 11 cents lower than last month and up by 12
     cents compared to this time last year.
  -- In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.33 per gallon, which is 4 cents lower than June's average and 13
     cents higher than June 2006's price.
  -- In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.36 per gallon, which is 9 cents lower compared to last month and 17
     cents higher compared to last year.
  -- In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $3.25 per gallon, an increase of 14 cents from June and an
     increase of 25 cents from last year.
  -- In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.21 per gallon, which is 14 cents higher than last month and 16 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.21 per gallon, which is a 19-cent increase compared to last month
     and a 18-cent increase from July 2006.
  -- In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.19 per gallon, which is 17 cents higher than last month and 12 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $3.27 per gallon, an increase of 6 cents from June and an
     increase of 31 cents from July 2006.
  -- In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.12 per gallon, which is an increase of 5 cents from last month and 9
     cents higher than July 2006's price.
  -- In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.28 per gallon, a 11-cent increase from June's average and a 16-cent
     increase from a year ago.
  -- In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages
     $3.28 per gallon, which is 15 cents higher than last month and 18 cents
     higher than last year.
  -- In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline
     averages $3.12 per gallon, which is 2 cents lower compared to last
     month and 11 cents lower compared to last year.

AAA Chicago has represented roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel-related issues for more than a century.

For more information on any aspect of AAA Chicago's breadth of service including AAA's home, auto and life insurance products; travel-related services, AAA's Show Your Card & Save program; and/or any AAA membership service including emergency roadside assistance, please visit our Web site at http://www.aaa.com/ or call us toll-free at 1-866-YOUR-AAA (968-7222).