Chicago- you're number one!

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Posted in: Default, by Patrick DeHaan on May 10, 2010 01:06 PM

The award for the highest gasoline prices in the lower 48 goes to... Chicago, Illinois! A few contributing factors: new regulations on refining gasoline, increased cost of summer spec gasoline, and high gasoline taxes add up to make Chicago the top dog.

Usually the spot is reserved for San Fransisco, California, but Chicago, with its regulations, taxes, and laws has forced prices higher. These new standards/laws went into effect May 1 that mean gasoline sold in Chicago (and the rest of Illinois) must meet very stringent production standards.

Looking at GasBuddy charts we see that after May 1, prices rapidly climbed from an average of $3.13 per gallon in the Windy City to over $3.23 on May 5. Since then, prices have slowly come down as wholesale prices dropped, but Chicago remains the most expensive city for gasoline and may remain there for some time.

Illinois as a state has also seen a similar price pattern since the new laws went into effect May 1. Some refiners even took the unusual step weeks ago to tell terminals and retailers that their gasoline would likely not meet new standards, impacting supply available to motorists.

This is definitely an impact I'll have to keep an eye on as we get closer to Memorial Day weekend. To read more on the changes Illinois mandated, click here.

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CrazgsupS All-Star Author San Diego Posts:516 Points:55,940 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2010 1:25:15 PM Ignore CrazgsupS Report Abuse Good thing a gas tax is not added on especially in the City!
DavisSta Veteran Author San Francisco Posts:498 Points:2,170,935 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jun 3, 2010 10:09:35 PM Ignore DavisSta Report Abuse The phenomenon of Chicago gas prices being higher than San Francisco prices was very short-lived, occurring only intermittently over a period of a few weeks. Chicago gas prices are now significantly lower than those in San Francisco. See the Gas Buddy price graphs.
GasPasserAB Champion Author Edmonton Posts:18,552 Points:587,635 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jun 3, 2010 4:01:58 AM Ignore GasPasserAB Report Abuse The prices in Alberta are more agreeable lately. With gas now at 86.9 per litre, and few local taxes, it almost makes filling the tank a pleasure. I do emphasize "almost". Plus in this province there is no Provincial Sales Tax.
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:14,843 Points:2,667,840 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jun 1, 2010 11:08:04 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse Might be a good place for competition.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,484 Points:1,734,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2010 5:52:22 PM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse As I posted previously, if you simply want to cherry-pick data, sure you can CLAIM that Chicago has the highest gas prices. But a simple check of GAS BUDDY's own data show that several California cities consistently have higher prices than Chicago. For example, San Francisco, which YOU cite above, has had a higher gas price than Chicago on 7 of the 12 days in May, and 20 of the last 30 days. And the further out you go with the length of the data-set selected, the more prominent that trend becomes. It's well known that gas prices move at different times, in different regions of the U.S. due to market dynamics related to that local area. And then there is Alaska and Hawaii, which on average have run 40- to 50- cents per gallon higher than Chicago Illinois - both of which previously did not. Furthermore, the "author" fails to note that, the net change in gasoline prices has been just a few cents. Even then, that the minor price increase matches that seen in many other areas of the U.S. that DID NOT have new gas taxes go into effect on May 1st. Using GAS BUDDY's own data, the average price of gasoline ranged between $3.10 to $3.15 per gallon prior to the 1st, and $3.13 to $3.23 after the 1st. Thats a net increase of ~FOUR CENTS PER GALLON. Conversely, San Fransico has ranged between $3.11 to $3.17 per gallon prior to the 1st, and $3.16 to $3.20 after the 1st - a net increase of THREE CENTS PER GALLON. And if you check other major U.S. cities, you will see the same pattern over this period - a three to five cent-per-gallon increase in the price of unleaded regular. Additionally, the May 5th date that is cited, is Wednesday - the day that gas prices make major changes due to the weekly release of the Energy Information Administration's data on changes in the weekly oil inventory levels here in the U.S. And if you check the price charts being cited, you will note a three-day spike centered around May 5th. Eliminate that spike - which did not occur in with the San Francisco gas prices, and Chicago would have only had higher gas prices on 5 of the last 30 days - mostly in April. UNLIKE, the article, I'll include a link to the ACTUAL data, so everyone else can see for themselves, versus simply providing a simple graph of cherry-picked data. Historical Price Charts (Gas Buddy.com) Sorry, but this has all the air of a story about nothing, with the sole purpose of stirring the political-pot.
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,864 Points:771,895 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2010 4:56:12 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse who want's to go there anyway, not I said the duck
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:8,123 Points:1,985,695 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2010 4:37:29 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse Just another good reason not to live there.
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:5,261 Points:1,267,275 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2010 4:32:37 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse ... in corruption.
DavisSta Veteran Author San Francisco Posts:498 Points:2,170,935 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 12, 2010 2:28:07 AM Ignore DavisSta Report Abuse According to the Gas Buddy price graphs, San Francisco and Chicago are about the same price. Some days Chicago is more expensive and other days San Francisco is (depending on which stations get posted, among other factors).
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,148 Points:828,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 11:28:55 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse the Second City in now # 1; who knew?
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,464 Points:1,272,075 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 9:54:46 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse WHAT A SHOCKER!
rfaramir Veteran Author Texas Posts:466 Points:437,805 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 9:11:07 PM Ignore rfaramir Report Abuse The high price is evidence of the intrusion of government force into the market. It is inefficient, hurtful, and unwelcome. Let the free market do its job: serving consumers with the best products at the best prices.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,932 Points:1,242,175 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:20:01 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse wasn't that known as the city of the thieves and mafiosi?
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:11,247 Points:1,332,350 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 3:39:56 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse When you tire of the high OC gas prices drive (or walk) to some of the less fortunate cities and give their problems a try for a while. Just DO NOT COME to the OC.
condé Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,012 Points:1,638,495 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 9:07:39 AM Ignore condé Report Abuse A city run by crooks...
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:5,841 Points:1,220,505 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 9:01:00 AM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse All those taxes and some of the worst roads in the USA.....
nstrdnvstr Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:34,188 Points:3,621,205 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:34:11 AM Ignore nstrdnvstr Report Abuse If I ever drive to Chicago, I'll have to remember to fill up before I cross the Illinois state line.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,484 Points:1,734,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:31:59 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse PD. If you're fishing for a story, why not try explaining why gas prices in the St. Louis area show a distinct pattern of spiking 20- to 30-cents per gallon EVERY TWO WEEKS. This is in a state with one of the LOWEST state gasoline taxes in the U.S. So why would prices be jumping by 10- to 15-percent in a SINGLE DAY? It is a very distinct pattern. [Edited by: Martinman at 5/11/2010 8:33:22 AM EST]
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:11,050 Points:2,059,635 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:31:17 AM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse I say we raise taxes on gasoline to make it sell for $10 a gallon. Then we would really have someting to gripe about. Prices will fluctuate but the long trend is UP! Get prepared.
armstrmb Champion Author Houston Posts:8,541 Points:1,723,105 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:31:01 AM Ignore armstrmb Report Abuse I can't wait to mail this to my brother and sister. Both moved to Chicago from Houston.
Jcisco Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:27,062 Points:2,769,600 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:30:30 AM Ignore Jcisco Report Abuse CHEAPEST GAS!! Price--Station Area $3.00---CITGO--2959 W Fulton Chicago-West. $2.99-Costco---1600 El Camino Real near McLellan Dr South-San Francisco. $2.97--C & J---2829 N Main St & Griffin Ave Los Angeles. $2.89--Shell--10300 nw 27th ave Miami-NW. $2.69-Shamrock-2302 Gus Thomasson Rd & Casa View Dr Dallas-NE. $2.65-Carnival-102 N W 28th St & Main St Fort Worth-North.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,484 Points:1,734,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:29:37 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse ... which San Francisco currently is, by THREE CENTS PER GALLON ! [Edited by: Martinman at 5/11/2010 8:34:31 AM EST]
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:4,223 Points:1,317,700 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:25:14 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse Somebody has to be number one ...
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,484 Points:1,734,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:21:04 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse Well, if you simply want to cherry-pick data, sure you can CLAIM that Chicago has the highest gas prices. But a simple check of GAS BUDDY's own data show that several California cities have had higher prices than Chicago. For example, San Francisco, which YOU cite above, has had a higher gas price than Chicago on 6 of the 11 days in May, and 20 of the last 30 days. And the further out you go with the length of the data-set selected, the more prominent that trend becomes. It's well known that gas prices move at different times, in different regions of the U.S. due to market dynamics related to the local area. And then there is Alaska and Hawaii, which on average have run 40- to 50- cents per gallon higher than Chicago Illinois. Furthermore, the "author" fails to note that, the net change in gasoline prices has been just a few cents. And even then, that the minor price increase matches that seen in many other areas of the U.S. that DID NOT have new gas taxes go into effect on May 1st. Using GAS BUDDY's own data, the average price of gasoline ranged between $3.10 to $3.15 per gallon prior to the 1st, and $3.13 to $3.23 after the 1st. Thats a net increase of ~FOUR CENTS PER GALLON. Conversely, San Fransico has ranged between $3.11 to $3.17 per gallon prior to the 1st, and $3.16 to $3.20 after the 1st - a net increase of THREE CENTS PER GALLON. And if you check other major U.S. cities, you will see the same pattern over this period - a three to five cent-per-gallon increase in the price of unleaded regular. Additionally, the May 5th date that is cited, is Wednesday - the day that gas prices make major changes due to the weekly release of the Energy Information Administration's release of the weekly oil inventory data here in the U.S. And if you check the price charts being cited, you will note a three-day spike centered around May 5th. Eliminate that spike - which did not occur in the San Francisco gas prices, and Chicago would have only had higher gas prices on 5 of the last 30 days - mostly in April. UNLIKE, the article, I'll include a link to the ACTUAL data, so everyone else can see for themselves, versus simply providing a simple graph of cherry-picked data. Historical Price Charts (Gas Buddy.com) Sorry, but this has all the air of a story about nothing, with the sole purpose of stirring the political-pot. So PD, do we live in the Chicago area? [Edited by: Martinman at 5/11/2010 8:27:59 AM EST]
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:6,441 Points:1,290,135 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:19:24 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse Remind me not to go to Chicago.
Hunter724 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:6,263 Points:1,279,090 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:19:19 AM Ignore Hunter724 Report Abuse Wow, glad I don't live in Illinois....
WES03 Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,021 Points:927,720 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:18:34 AM Ignore WES03 Report Abuse Is Chicago a blue or red voting area?
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:6,441 Points:1,290,135 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:18:33 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse Remind me not to go to Chicago.
cv Champion Author Raleigh Posts:13,346 Points:2,899,555 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:18:09 AM Ignore cv Report Abuse I saw a couple stations here yesterday that had posted $2.94/gal for regular......it's beginning to look like another ripoff in the works.
toyrunner300 Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,222 Points:1,219,220 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:17:48 AM Ignore toyrunner300 Report Abuse Time to think about fuel efficient cars out there. Guys, imagine if all of you in the US switch to smaller cars you'll get ride of OPEC and will lower your price at the pump?
salog Champion Author Columbia Posts:6,279 Points:1,351,900 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:17:44 AM Ignore salog Report Abuse not a contest you want to win
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,037 Points:1,412,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:17:17 AM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse Obama must be proud.
tbgasmizer Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,284 Points:886,205 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:16:51 AM Ignore tbgasmizer Report Abuse we are higher then them in Ontario Canada.
dondee118 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:7,163 Points:1,349,575 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:16:08 AM Ignore dondee118 Report Abuse No surprise from the San Fransisco of the Midwest.
t_flor Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,230 Points:784,740 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:15:26 AM Ignore t_flor Report Abuse Doesn't surprise me. How else can we feed and clothe the crooked Chicago leaders?
TestRocket All-Star Author Alabama Posts:537 Points:613,845 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:15:24 AM Ignore TestRocket Report Abuse Way to go Chicago! I’m glad you’re not running our country...oh wait, you are!
ttwiw Champion Author Austin Posts:2,166 Points:1,369,260 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:15:17 AM Ignore ttwiw Report Abuse Amazing that they beat out California.
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:10,917 Points:2,254,020 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:14:37 AM Ignore throttle Report Abuse I'm glad I don't live in Chicago.
cardjcsk Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,370 Points:1,551,115 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:14:13 AM Ignore cardjcsk Report Abuse Should be the same everywhere
SaltyDogMA Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,307 Points:717,330 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:13:50 AM Ignore SaltyDogMA Report Abuse You mean number one for corrupt politics and corrupt politicians!
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:14,744 Points:1,455,740 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:12:39 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse Yea, high gas prices, that's one distinction I wish I wasn't associated with. Guess we need to feed our crooked poloticians... and oh, with all that money coming in from high taxes, you think are roads are good.... WRONG!
jpd683 Champion Author Scranton Posts:3,674 Points:1,470,555 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:12:30 AM Ignore jpd683 Report Abuse I hope this is only in Chicago area. Prices in Scranton PA range from 2.55 to 3.09. These stations are only about 4 miles apart.message
PhilMils Champion Author Virginia Posts:5,440 Points:1,045,565 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:12:02 AM Ignore PhilMils Report Abuse There are times you simply don't want to be Number One.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:18,566 Points:2,470,200 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:11:33 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse Gas in the west suburban area of Chicago is about a dime cheaper but still too high compared to most of the rest of the country.
Zeke33 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:4,253 Points:1,356,330 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:10:46 AM Ignore Zeke33 Report Abuse Chicago the city of "The Mob". BHO's old buddies.
Vulcan_750 Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:279 Points:1,087,230 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:07:32 AM Ignore Vulcan_750 Report Abuse Oh good, and I get to go visit Chi-town next week. Glad I'm not driving....
moody4u Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,685 Points:727,705 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:06:45 AM Ignore moody4u Report Abuse Cuz th Hobumma G's Gots 2 get theys moneys Bra! [Edited by: moody4u at 5/11/2010 8:08:41 AM EST]
nerde Champion Author Florida Posts:4,466 Points:956,300 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:06:12 AM Ignore nerde Report Abuse Better buy hybrids!
INDY51 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,589 Points:908,140 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:05:49 AM Ignore INDY51 Report Abuse what an honor for the "windy city".
dan30thz28 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,171 Points:1,633,770 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 8:05:48 AM Ignore dan30thz28 Report Abuse Ouch, glad I live in NJ.

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