AAA Chicago

Knowing how Illinois ranks poorly on so many lists, it's weird to see us ranked in the top ten of nearly anything. Being recognized for a top ten ranking would be great in many other cases, but getting the attention for high gas prices pretty much sucks.

Before this morning's announcement by President Biden that the United States would stop purchasing Russian oil, the national average for a gallon of gas was $4.06, which is 45 cents more than a week ago, 62 cents more than a month ago and $1.30 more than a year ago.

Because of the current conflict in Ukraine, oil prices are shooting up above $100 a barrel, which will, of course, mean much higher prices at the pump here in Illinois and throughout the country. Just looking at today's news shows that the price per barrel has risen $19.

The national average price for a gallon of gas rose sharply last week to $3.48, which is four cents more than a week ago. Here in Rockford, that number is $3.60 per gallon, when last week we were at $3.52.

In spite of (or maybe because of) warnings galore to skip the traveling over Thanksgiving, lots of Illinoisans still hit the road. Christmastime may be a different story.

The line of cars heading over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house will be a lot shorter this Thanksgiving, according to AAA Chicago.

It appears that all the COVID-19 lockdowns happening around the globe have had a side benefit to consumers. Crude oil prices have dropped to their lowest numbers since June.

The last time the national gas price average leading into the holiday was under $2/gallon was 17 years ago in 2003. That year motorists paid, on average, $1.50 to fill-up.

The national gas price average is six cents more expensive on the week at $1.84, but still cheaper on the month and year. For now.

One of the few upsides to this whole COVID-19 mess has been lower prices at the pump week after week. Now, gas prices are on the uptick.