Gas Price Update: Find Lowest Price Near Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan residents are experiencing more pain at the pump with gas prices continuing to soar. The average price of gas in Illinois was at about $4.53 per gallon Wednesday, according to AAA. That's a $0.10 jump from Tuesday's prices, and a $0.60 increase from a week ago.

Nationally, the average Wednesday was about $4.25 per gallon.

In Will County, gas prices were slightly over the state average on Wednesday, at around $4.57 per gallon.

The increases are especially sharp considering that the average gas price in Illinois was just $2.95 a year ago.

But, if you know where to look, you can find cheaper gas prices throughout Will County.

According to GasBuddy, the cheapest gas in Will County is selling for $4.19 at Casey's, 280 E. Main St. in Braidwood. Here are some other places you can save in Will County:

• Mohsen, 24001 Lorenzo Road in Wilmington, $4.24.
• Shell, 24225 W. Lorenzo Road in Wilmington, $4.26.
• BP, 1522 Clement St. in Joliet, $4.35.

As Patch reported March 6, the recent climb in pump prices primarily is 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."

Eric Heyl, Patch Staff, contributed to this article