Cheapest Gas Near Me: Find Lowest Price Near Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Soaring oil prices mean more pain at the pump for Highland Park and Highwood 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 and around Highland Park.

As of Friday, the least expensive gas in the city was available at the BP station at 1881 Deerfield Road, which offers motorist the chance to fill their tanks for $4.14 a gallon.

Casey's, 133 Half Day Road, prices its petrol at $4.17 per gallon. And gas is $4.19 per gallon at the BP, 695 Central Ave., the Mobil at 2850 Skokie Valley Road and the Shell at 1411 Park Avenue West, according to user submissions to the website GasBuddy.

The cheapest gas in Lake County was available for $3.79 a gallon at the Citgo, 43067 N. US-41 in Wadsworth.

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."