Today’s fuel price musings - Statewide spike continues

May 15th, 2008 at 12:51pm Thomas V. Bona

No reports of $4 gasoline in Rockford yet, but there are still stations at $3.95 a gallon. If you see $4 regular unleaded, let me know at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com

Now on to the prices (data courtesy of AAA’s fuelgaugereport.com):

Gasoline: Rockford jumped another four cents to almost $3.89 a gallon for the metro area, the third-largest increase in the state. We’re up to fifth in the state, but there are two metro areas right behind us. This is gonna frustrate those of you who tell me Rockford gas stations are cheating us: There are plenty of sightings of $3.95 a gallon and more in Peoria, Bloomington and in the Chicago suburbs (including Elgin). For the first time ever, the average price for the Chicago region topped $4 a gallon today. The whole state is high right now (third in the nation), fueled by higher gas taxes than surrounding states (the sales tax, being a percentage, only accelerates the increases as prices rise). The state average increased more than two cents to $3.95 a gallon. The national average increased almost two cents to $3.78 a gallon. All prices referenced are records until further notice

Diesel: Rockford increased almost five cents to $4.52 a gallon. Most other metro areas in Illinois rose today too, but we now have the second-highest diesel prices in the state (behind Chicago at $4.60 a gallon). The state average rose almost four cents to $4.52 a gallon, so it’s just following us along. The national average also increased four cents to $4.46 a gallon. Illinois has the 14th-highest prices in the country. I obviously don’t have as much interesting to say on diesel prices, so any truckers, bus drivers or other experts, feel free to contact me with insights and story ideas into that market. I can be reached, again, at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com.

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