SUMMIT, NJ — Soaring oil prices mean more pain at the pump for Illinois residents, with the average gas price already well above the $4 mark statewide.
Gasoline prices in the Chicago area were already well above the state average of $4.02 on Thursday. In Chicago, the average gasoline price was $4.20 a gallon and rising. In the metro area, prices were $4.13 a gallon, an increase of nearly 10 cents since Wednesday.
The increases are especially steep when you consider that the average gasoline price in Illinois was just $2.89 a year ago. The average price in the Chicago metro area this time last year was $2.97.
But you can still save a little if you know where to look in Summit.
According to GasBuddy, Summit’s cheapest gasoline sells for $3.75 a gallon at Delta at 19 Summit Ave. Here are some other places you can save in and around Summit:
- Raceway, 36 River Road, $3.83 per gallon
- Mobil, 10 Ashwood Ave, $3.85 per gallon
- Conoco, 35 Summit Ave, $3.89 a gallon
- Shell, 336 Morris Ave, $4.09 per gallon
The recent rise in prices at the pump is mainly attributable to the high cost of crude oil, according to AAA. Moderating winter weather and optimism about a possible drop in COVID-19 cases have led to an increase in gas demand.
“More drivers filling up here, coupled with a persistent tight supply of oil around the world, provide the recipe for higher prices at the pump,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said in a statement. Press release. “And unfortunately for consumers, it doesn’t look like that trend will change anytime soon.”
At a press conference last week, GasBuddy representatives said gasoline prices could increase up to 50 cents In the coming months.
Eric Heyl, Patch Staff, contributed to this article
