Chicago Gas Prices: Everything You Need To Know
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There are a lot of things we could say about the windy city, from its fantastic museum, unique cuisine, to yes, its aggressive drivers and heavy traffic. But when it comes to gas prices, there’s one thing Chicago residents will tell you over and over; they’re high.
But, are Chicago gas prices actually any higher than average, or are they dealing with the same rising prices as the rest of the country.
Here’s what you know about the Chicago gas market, local gas prices, and anything else that stands out about gas in the windy city.
Chicago Gas Prices
Gas prices have been rising in Chicago for a while now, so few residents will be surprised to hear that prices are a little higher than average right now. Illinois as a state is a little more expensive than most when it comes to gas prices, at least compared with the national average. The national average for gas is about $3.61, according to AAA.
Chicago average prices are closer to $3.90 a gallon for regular. That’s almost 30cts higher and enough to make a big difference at the pump.
After all, it only takes a little more than 3 gallons to be paying a full $1 more than you would if you were paying the national average at the pump.
Unfortunately, the combination of local supply and demand with global oil supplies and the political situation in Ukraine and Russia means that gas prices are likely to go up rather than down.
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Why Are Chicago Gas Prices Rising?
Unfortunately, Chicago is one of the cities that is feeling the burden of increased oil prices more than most. The cost of living is increasing in Chicago, not least because gas prices are going up and the price of everything else is going up to match.
But why is Chicago dealing with some fairly drastic price increases right now?
Well, there are a few reasons, but one of the main reasons is that there is a ton of demand for fuel and other petroleum products in the Chicago area and relatively little supply compared with other parts of the country and other metro areas.
Chicago also has a lot of drivers and longer commutes than some other urban areas, which means that the average driver just needs more gas than elsewhere in the country.
That combination of factors means that the Chicago gas prices are higher and were higher than average even before the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Are Chicago Gas Prices Expected To Get Better Or Worse?
Unfortunately, the gas price outlook wasn’t great in Chicago, even before Russia invaded Ukraine. Supply was already constrained by the pandemic and pandemic-related supply chain issues and changes in how gas is produced across the world.
Since Russia is one of the biggest producers of crude oil, and sanctions are likely to drastically affect the market for however long they last, that’s added further hiccups to an already troubled market.
So, not only should you expect gas prices to go up in Chicago in the short term, but there’s likely to be a lot of market volatility as well. That means prices may go up, down, or seem different at different times of the day or in different areas.
That’s all because market volatility is going to make standard prices harder to maintain. It’s not just Chicago gas prices that will be affected, but Chicago is anticipated to be one of the more heavily hit cities.
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Is There Any Way To Save On Gas In Chicago
Chicago residents are known for looking for ways to save on gas, whether it means saving their trip to the gas station for a particular part of the commute or just looking for other ways to get good deals.
Unfortunately, that can be a little harder than normal right now since gas prices are unpredictable.
However, some residents recommend crossing the border into Wisconsin for their gas needs or just getting out of the metro area to lower-demand parts of the state.
That can add miles to your trip, though, which means that whatever savings you get will be less just because you’re driving further to get the discount.
Of course, if you commute into the city, you can always make sure you’re fueling up either before you head into Chicago or after you leave Chicago.
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More Affordable Gas Stations In Chicago
While brands aren’t universally cheaper, and the prices at individual locations can vary quite a bit, here are some of the cheapest gas station brands in the Chicago area, according to gasbuddy.com.
- Food 4 Less
- Murphy USA
- Woodman’s
- Walmart
Some locations from these brands even offer gas prices slightly below the national average, not just the local Chicago average. That means significant savings if you live in the Chicago area, so it might be worth looking for these brands and the best price locations.
That said, prices change, as do company policies, which means that those prices might go up as supply continues to change.
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Final Thoughts On Chicago Gas Prices
Chicago is one of the busiest and best cities the United States has to offer, so it’s no surprise that some of the amenities in the city are a little more expensive than elsewhere.
Unfortunately, Chicago is one of the places gas is most expensive right now, outside of other hot spots like California or New York. It’s certainly one of the few places where gas prices are actually higher in the city compared with rural areas.
However, other than the slight sticker shock you might get the first time at the pump, there really isn’t much to know about Chicago gas prices. They’re slightly higher than average, but the gas is otherwise very similar to the gas you can get in other parts of the country.
Your regular, mid, and premium grade gas is still going to be the same, and Chicago gas still follows the other fuel recommendations for the country, which is important because it means you won’t have to adjust which kind you buy.
However, if you can buy outside the city, in the Suburbs, or even across the border in Wisconsin, you might be better off doing that.
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