Cheapest Gas Near Me: Find Lowest Price Near Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — Soaring oil prices mean more pain at the pump for Evanston residents, with the average gas price already well above the $4 mark across the state.

Gas prices in the Chicago area Friday significantly exceed the statewide Illinois average of $4.10 for regular unleaded fuel.

The average price in the city was $4.26, with a $4.19 average for the metro area as a whole, as of Friday.

Prices in the Chicago metro area have risen by more than 8 percent in the past week, according to AAA.

The increases are especially sharp considering that the average gas price in Illinois was just $2.89 a year ago. The average price in the metro area this time last year was $2.97.

But you can still save a little bit if you know where to look in Evanston.

The cheapest gas in town that doe not require membership is available at Food4Less, 2400 Main St., where patrons can purchase petrol for $4.04 per gallon, according to user submissions to the website GasBuddy.

Fuel at the Shell, 2494 Oakton St., and the Citgo, 443 Asbury Ave., will set back motorists $4.09 per gallon. And gas is $4.19 per gallon at the BP, 555 Howard St., and the Shell stations at 101 Ridge Ave. and 1201 Chicago Ave.

Evanstonians willing to head about 7 miles west to save money on gas can refuel at the Mobil, 8575 W. Dempster St., Niles, where gas was available for $3.69 per gallon.

The price increases come as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its second week. As of Friday afternoon, both types of commonly traded crude oil had risen above $115 per barrel, up about $20 this week.

The price hikes are primarily attributable to the high cost of crude oil, according to AAA. Moderating winter weather and optimism over a possible decline in COVID-19 cases have led to an increase in gas demand.

"More drivers fueling up here coupled with a persistent tight supply of oil worldwide provides the recipe for higher prices at the pump," AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a news release. "And unfortunately for consumers, it does not appear that this trend will change anytime soon."

At a news conference last week, GasBuddy representatives said gas prices could go up by as much as 50 cents in the coming months.

According to a short-term outlook prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration last month ahead of the outbreak of war in Europe, consistent draws on global crude oil industry since mid-2020 have resulted in nearly two years of steady price rises — even before the latest disruption to energy markets.

"Oil prices have also risen as result of heightened market concerns about the possibility of oil supply disruptions, notably related to tensions regarding Ukraine," it said, "paired with receding market concerns that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will have widespread effects on oil consumption."