DeKALB – Gas prices are once again on the rise. The average price of gas in Illinois on Feb. 15 was $2.62 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 4,378 stations in the state. That is a 2.3 cents per gallon increase from last week and see prices in the state 15.9 cents that a month ago and 14.1 cents higher than a year ago.

The lowest station in the state was $2.31 per gallon and the highest was $3.27 per gallon, a difference of 96 cents.

This rise in prices can be seen on the national level as well, with prices rising 2.6 cents from last week to an average of $2.50 per gallon. This is up 11 cents from a month ago and is 5.3 cents higher than a year ago.

“It’s not surprising that gasoline prices continue to follow oil prices higher, as the national average now stands at its highest level since January 2020 as Pay with GasBuddy data shows U.S. gasoline demand rose over two percent last week,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

De Hann said that people should not expect gas prices to go down anytime soon.

“The situation won’t get better, just wait until spring, it’s likely the national average will rise another 10 to as much as 50 cents per gallon if oil production doesn’t respond to the continued recovery in demand.”