While Illinois doesn’t have the highest gas prices in the United States, they are usually in the top 10. California, Hawaii, and Washington often take the top three positions but states like Nevada, Oregon, and Illinois come up close behind when it comes to the average cost of gas. As with most states, prices change dramatically throughout Illinois. For example, the cities in Illinois with the absolute highest gas prices cost quite a bit more than in other areas.
The 12 cities below aren’t always the ones with the absolute highest gas prices, but they are usually up somewhere at the top of the list. All of the information on prices and locations listed below comes from Stacker and GasBuddy.
To put the prices below in comparison to the rest of Illinois, let’s look at some other facts first. For example, the average for the state’s gas prices generally sits around $3.7 to $4 for regular gas, as of April 2024.
This puts Illinois above average for the nation with all types of gas except for diesel. However, there are some places where you can buy gas for a little cheaper. Effingham has several gas stations that are at least $0.30 less than the state average. South Beloit is rather cheap as well, sometimes even running close to just $3 a gallon for regular gas.
If you’re looking to find somewhere to fill up your take for cheap when driving through Illinois, one of these cities is the best option. At the very least, you want to do your best to avoid the 7 locations listed below.
7. Bloomington
Bloomington isn’t the most expensive city for gas in Illinois, but it is up there.
©Nicholas Boddy/Shutterstock.com
The gas prices in Bloomington are thankfully under $4, especially for regular gas. Still, they’re rather pricy at $3.9 on average. Unfortunately, it’s a major city in Illinois, with many interstates running through it, so it’s one of the easiest options for stopping and getting gas.
6. Kankakee
This city is fairly close to Chicago and near the border of
Indiana
, where you can usually find cheaper gas prices.
©OJUP/Shutterstock.com
Kankakee has pretty variable costs when it comes to gas. Some stations have prices over $4 while others are close to $3.6, all for regular gas. So if you see one that looks a little expensive, it may be worth driving around for a while until you find a cheaper station.
5. Peoria-Pekin
This beautiful city often has high gas prices.
©Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock.com
Even the cheapest gas in Peoria, Illinois is around $3.7 per gas for regular fuel. $3.8 to $3.9 per gallon of regular gas is more than the average. Pekin is another city just outside of Peoria and also shares the high gas prices, running similarly enough that they are considered the same.
4. Quincy
This pretty little city on the border of Missouri is no joke when it comes to gas prices.
©Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock.com
Quincy is right on the border between Missouri and Illinois on the Mississippi River. The gas in Quincy is close to $3.9. But if you can push over to West Quincy in Missouri before filling up your tank, you can look at much lower prices around $3.4 per gallon.
3. Rockford
This city has fairly high prices compared to other places in the area.
©Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock.com
Rockford stays below $4 a gallon, but only barely. While some parts of the city have gas for closer to $3.6, most are closer to $3.9. Most other nearby cities and towns have gas around $3.7 or lower, so if you can wait until you hit the next location, then you might save yourself some money.
2. Elgin
Elegan is a little northwest of Chicago.
©Kwangmoozaa/Shutterstock.com
The prices here are also rather expensive, running over $4 for regular gas. If you drive to the outskirts, you may get lucky and find gas for a little under $4.
However, $4.2 for regular and up to $5.4 for premium seems standard here.
1. Chicago
Walking and public transportation can save you a lot of money if you live in or around Chicago.
©TonyTheTiger / CC BY-SA 3.0 - License
Gas prices in Chicago are relatively stable. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re cheap. Except for a few places, most gas is at least $3.88, if not higher for regular gas. However, the average seems closer to $4.36 in 2024.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © JaySi/Shutterstock.com
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