Gas Prices Update: Slow Decline Continues Around Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan residents are seeing some signs of relief at the pump Friday, but gas prices in the area still remained well above last year's averages.

Illinois suspended the inflation adjustment to its gas tax July 1. The gas tax holiday is scheduled to last through Dec. 31, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. The state’s tax on gas will stay flat at 39 cents per gallon during that time.

But is it enough?

While motorists wait to see what the long-term effects will be on their wallets, average gas prices in Illinois were at $5.20, which is down 17 cents from this time last week, according to AAA.

In Manhattan, the cheapest gas Friday was at Citgo, 270 W. North St., at $5.32, according to GasBuddy.

The average in Will County was above the state average Friday, sitting at about $5.42 per gallon, according to AAA.

Cheaper gas can still be found if you know where to look, though Manhattan motorists will have to travel out of town to get it.

The cheapest gas in Will County Friday was at Casey's, 730 Dixie Highway in Braidwood, selling for $4.89.

Here are some other places you can save near Manhattan:

• Mobil & 7-Eleven, 2242 S. Eola Road in Aurora, $4.89.
• Casey's, 280 E. Main St. in Braidwood, $4.91.
• Circle K, 105 S. Front St. in Braidwood, $4.91.
• Moshen, 24001 Lorenzo Road in Wilmington, $4.97.

Nationally, the average gas price Friday was about $4.72 per gallon. It was $3.14 at this same point last year, according to AAA.

Illinois' gas prices ranked No. 7 in the lower 48 of the county. The Top 5 states in gas price averages Friday were California at $6.15, Nevada at $5.45, Oregon at $5.43, Washington at $5.39 and Idaho at $5.23, according to AAA. South Carolina had the lowest national gas price average at $4.23.