The average cost per gallon in May 2012 was $3.91 in Illinois, 18 cents lower than in April, marking the first time this year that monthly averages have fallen. In northern Indiana, that average was $3.89, also down -- 16 cents since April and 18 cents since May 2011.
"We had such high gas prices in the spring, it got to be an untenable situation," said Beth Mosher, director of public affairs for AAA Chicago. "Gas prices are coming down, oil prices are coming down."
And while it's the first time in 2012 that monthly gas price averages have been lower, some motorists say they can't tell.
"I haven't seen it," said Norman Thomas, motorist.
"Right now it's just too overwhelming," said Shiralee Mack, motorist. "You can't get from point A to point B without putting $10 or $15 in."
The average price of $4.20 for self serve unleaded in Cook county also dropped 17 cents, still not enough to keep some from crossing the border.
"I'm heading to Indiana now. That's where I'll fill up," said Melinda Mangalrdi, motorist.
- Gas prices, by county (from AAA Chicago, fuelgaugereport.com)
- In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $4.20, which is down $.17 from last month and $.24 lower than last year's price-per-gallon.
- In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $4.04 per gallon, which is a 15-cent decrease from April and down $.24 cents from last year.
- In In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $4.01 per gallon, which is down 14 cents compared to last month and $.22 lower than May 2011's price.
- In In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $4.00 per gallon, which is $.14 cents lower than last month and down by $.24 compared to this time last year.
- In In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.99 per gallon, which is $.15 cents lower than last month's average and $.24 lower than May 2011's price.
- In In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $4.00 per gallon, which is $.14 cents lower compared to last month and $.23 lower compared to last year.
- In In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.62 per gallon, a decrease of $.21 cents from April and a decrease of $.26 from last year.
- In In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.67 per gallon, which is $.18 cents lower than last month and $.34 lower than last year.
- In In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.72 per gallon, which is down $.15 compared to last month and down $.34 from May 2011.
- In In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.63 per gallon, which is $.24 cents lower than last month and $.32 lower than last year.
- In In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.74 per gallon, a decrease of $.20 cents from April and $.34 lower than May 2011.
- In In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.78 per gallon, which is a decrease of $.05 cents from last month and $.23 lower than May 2011's price.
- In In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.89 per gallon, a 16-cent decrease from April's average and a $.19 decrease from a year ago.
- In In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.89 per gallon, which is $.15 cents lower than last month and $.14 lower than last year.
- In In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.79 per gallon, which is $.11 cents lower compared to last month and $.26 lower compared to last year.
