Illinois Gas Prices Surge To Be Among Nation's Highest

CHICAGO — With gas prices surging over the past week following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, Illinois finds itself with some of the most expensive fuel in the country, according to a new study.

Illinois ranks seventh in the United States, according to GasBuddy which placed the state’s average tank of gas at $4.30 per gallon on Monday. California is the only state in the nation where average prices have spiked past $5 per gallon so far.

The jump represents the highest gas prices have been since 2008 when the average per-gallon price topped out at $4.10.

Chicago drivers are seeing even more of a jump as stations across the country are averaging $4.44 per gallon.

Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska all are averaging between $4.39 and $4.69 per gallon. Illinois’ price-per-gallon comes in slightly cheaper than Connecticut ($4.28 per gallon) and New York ($4.26) and experts predict that the state could surpass the $5 per gallonprice point by this summer.

Gas prices have jumped significantly since the late part of last week when the average price of a gallon was just over $4 with a choice few local stations remaining just under that.

GasBuddy reported that customers pumping premium gas into their cars are paying an average of $5 per gallon, while regular-grade gas came in at $4.30 per gallon and mid-grade pricing out at an average of $4.69 per gallon. Diesel prices came in at just under $4.48 per gallon across the state.

The study showed that Illinois residents have seen the per-gallon price jump 45 cents over the past week. Connecticut and Nevada drivers saw the biggest jump over the past seven days at 56 cents.

AAA reported Missouri having the lowest gas prices in the country at $3.62 per gallon.