AAA Survey also reveals impact of rising prices on consumers’ lifestyles
Aurora, Ill. (March 31, 2017) – Illinois and Indiana gas prices are on the rise and will continue to rise into April when refineries switch to a more expensive summer blend of gasoline. The average price in Illinois for an unleaded gallon of gasoline is $2.39, up $.08 from a month ago, and up from $2.06 a year ago. In Indiana, the average price is $2.31, up $.16 from a month ago and up from last year’s price of $1.95. Nationally, gas prices are averaging $2.31 per gallon, which is flat from a month ago but up from $2.05 from a year ago. AAA projects the national average for a gallon of gasoline to increase 40 cents this summer, peaking near $2.70.
A new national AAA survey released this week found that nearly a quarter of consumers believe the price at the pump is already too high. More than 70 percent of those surveyed said they would make everyday lifestyle or driving changes that include combining trips or errands, driving less, reducing shopping or dining out and carpooling to offset the increase in gas prices.
“Drivers are noticing an uptick in gas prices, which unfortunately won’t subside heading into April,” said Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago spokesperson. “The good news is that people are still planning to hit the road this summer with 80 percent of family travelers planning a road trip this year.”
The average price for March in Illinois was $2.35, an increase of $.06 from the previous month and up $.37 from the previous year. In northern Indiana in March, the average price was $2.21 which was $.06 higher than last month and $.37 higher than last year.
March monthly averaged across the region:
In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.55, which was up $.06 from last month and $.38 higher than last year’s price-per-gallon.
In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.39 per gallon, which was an $.08 increase from February and up $.34 from last year.
In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.37 per gallon, which was up $.09 compared to last month and $.36 higher than March 2016’s price.
In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.37 per gallon, which was $.09 higher than last month and $.36 higher than last year’s price.
In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.32 per gallon, which was $.05 higher than last month’s average and $.31 higher than March 2016’s price.
In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.35 per gallon, which was $.08 higher compared to last month and $.34 higher compared to last year.
In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.25 per gallon, an increase of $.07 from February and $.47 higher than last year.
In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.25 per gallon, which was $.05 higher than last month and $.40 higher than last year.
In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.28 per gallon, which was up $.06 compared to last month and up $.39 from March 2016.
In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.20 per gallon, which was $.08 higher than last month and $.33 higher than last year.
In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.26 per gallon, an increase of $.03 from February and $.36 higher than March 2016.
In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.19 per gallon, which was $.06 higher than last month and $.31 higher than March 2016’s price.
In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.21 per gallon, which was up $.05 from February’s average and was up $.37 from a year ago.
In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.23 per gallon, which was $.06 higher than last month and $.37 higher than last year.
In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.24 per gallon, which was $.07 higher compared to last month and $.35 higher than last year.
Fuel prices are posted on-line at www.fuelgaugereport.com, which updates prices daily for unleaded, diesel and E85 blends of fuel.
This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among two national probability samples (landline only and cell phone), which, when combined, consists of 1,017 adults, 510 men and 507 women, 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States. Interviewing for this survey was completed on February 2-5, 2017. 517 interviews were from the landline sample and 500 interviews from the cell phone sample. This study has an average statistical error of ±3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level for all U.S. adults.
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About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to approximately 9 million members across 11 states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with nearly 55 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.