The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the biggest reason for the rise.
"It's a volatile market. We don't know how the conflicts will end, but what happens on the other side of the world has consequences here," said Molly Hart, AAA spokesperson.
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Eric Goodman, who was on his way back to Minnesota after a work trip to Chicago, was experiencing the pain at the pump. So was Nick Nitti, who drives 90 miles a day round trip to work, meaning he makes quite a few stops at gas stations every week, and they're getting much more painful.
"You gotta do it. Gonna take a toll. Gotta get two jobs for it," he said.
Cheaper prices can be found in neighboring states, which are less expensive than Illinois, but here it's still much better than California, which has the highest gas prices in the country.
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AAA Illinois said drivers are changing their habits as a result, with more than a third driving less and many others driving shorter distances. Drivers are also going further looking for cheaper gas prices.
"I pretty much go to work and try to stay out of the car. These gas prices are just nuts," said Connor Talken, driver.
Another factor that will drive prices even higher in coming weeks: this is the time of year when stations switch over from winter to summer blend gas, which is more expensive.