DeKALB – Gas prices in Illinois have gone up by 5.4 cents this past week. The average price for gas is $2.54 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 4,378 gas stations in Illinois. 

The cheapest gas station in Illinois is at $2.14 per gallon, while the most expensive is at $2.89. That is a difference of 75 cents per gallon.

“Gas price increases continue to slow down as oil prices fail to continue moving upward, even as gasoline demand continues to show new signs of improving recovery,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 1.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.42 per gallon today. The national average is up 17.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 5.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

“The rise in gasoline demand has certainly been behind oil’s rally in the last few months, as COVID restrictions continue to ease and the economy slowly continues recovery,” De Hann said. “While the next few weeks may see gas prices rising slightly, the real pinch could come in March and lasting through summer, should demand continue on this path.”