Chicago Leads Nationwide Gas Price Spike

The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has risen 5 cents in the past two weeks, which especially doesn't doesn't bode well for Chicago drivers.

The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday says the price of a gallon of regular is $3.61, the highest price in Lundberg's twice-monthly surveys since late July 2013.

But the current price is 4 cents under its year ago point.

According to Gasbuddy.com, the average price for Illinois is $3.84 a gallon and $4.05 a gallon for the city of Chicago, which is the highest in the country.

Gasbuddy.com's Patrick Deehan says average gas prices in Chicago started to creep up above $4 a gallon last Thursday.

"The higher cost of ethanol, since it is blended with gasoline, is pushing pump prices higher," Deehan said.

Deehan says the harsh winter slowed down the main way ethanol is transported -- via the railroad.

"All of the Metra delays and the Amtrak delays, that also affects other rail networks," Deehan said.

But there is good news, according to Deehan -- once summer arrives, prices should go back down.

"We could be looking at Fourth of July with pump prices in the Chicago area below that $4 a gallon average," Deehan said.

The last time gas prices were above $4 a gall in Chicago was August 2013.

Contact Us