By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices are still high across Illinois as the average price rose 0.9 cents over the week, sitting at $4.35 a gallon.

According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 18.2 cents lower than a month ago and $1.34 higher than a year ago.

GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in the state is priced at $3.74 a gallon while the most expensive is $5.29 a gallon.

The national average dropped 3.8 cents over the week, sitting at $4.06 a gallon.

“We’ve now seen the national average price of gasoline decline every week for the last month, a feat we most likely would not have expected ahead of summer and given the continued turn sin Russia’s war on Ukraine. However, the downturn could slow or could even reverse in the days ahead if the rally in oil prices continues,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

“A barrel of crude is now $14 higher than it was last week as the European Union weighs placing harsher sanctions on Russia. This could further tilt the delicate balance of supply and demand in the wrong way, potentially sending oil prices up significantly if implemented. The path forward at the pump remains murky, however, with many possible outcomes, so motorists should be prepared for a bumpy ride.”

GasBuddy data is accessible at prices.GasBuddy.com.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].