Overnight spikes in gas prices surprise drivers

Prices at the Marathon gas pumps of TRI-C Automotive in Arlington Heights have climbed steadily over the past week, but owner Lee Cavanaugh says he’s just as frustrated with the price spikes as drivers.

On Thursday, a gallon of unleaded gas at the station was $4.49 — a 10 cent jump from the day before. In fact, prices at the station have gone up each of the last four business days, and Cavanaugh said he doesn’t know when things will settle down.

“We just have to bear with it because we’re not setting prices,” he said.

That’s one example of how the cost of gas has risen in Chicago and the suburbs this week, making the region one of the most expensive in the country. On Thursday, the average price for a gallon of unleaded was $4.27 — a six-cent jump from a day earlier, according to the AAA Motor Club’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

But that average didn’t tell the whole story, as spot checks showed much larger increases.

The price Thursday at the 7 Eleven gas station at 1570 N. Randall Road in Elgin — $4.29 — was near the local average. But that price had jumped 30 cents in only two days, according to a store clerk.

By comparison, the national average was $3.78.

Despite a drop in prices nationally, the high cost of fuel here could be due to a leak in a pipeline that supplies the area with oil from Canada and to problems at local refineries, experts say.

“The Midwest has been hit particularly hard this spring,” said Beth Mosher, spokesman for AAA Chicago. “Our prices are starting to go up again and the rest of the country is not feeling the same effects we are.”

She said the Keystone pipeline from Canada brings 590,000 barrels of crude to the Midwest every day.

David Sykuta, executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Council, said a compressor problem at the Exxon Mobile refinery in Channahon could also be contributing to the local price spike.

Exxon Mobile spokesman Kevin Allexon said crews have been working to repair the problem since it was discovered May 21.

Sykuta also said work at the Marathon refinery in Robinson has also been slowed after it lost power during heavy storms.

He said local gas prices are also affected by required summer fuel blends and local taxes that vary by state and municipality.

But he’s optimistic that drivers will get some relief soon enough.

“The overall trend is down,” Sykuta said. “This is just a hiccup. I don’t see this as being a long term distortion.”