AAA Chicago

Knowing how Illinois ranks poorly on so many lists, it's weird to see us ranked in the top ten of nearly anything. Being recognized for a top ten ranking would be great in many other cases, but getting the attention for high gas prices pretty much sucks.

Before this morning's announcement by President Biden that the United States would stop purchasing Russian oil, the national average for a gallon of gas was $4.06, which is 45 cents more than a week ago, 62 cents more than a month ago and $1.30 more than a year ago.

Because of the current conflict in Ukraine, oil prices are shooting up above $100 a barrel, which will, of course, mean much higher prices at the pump here in Illinois and throughout the country. Just looking at today's news shows that the price per barrel has risen $19.

The national average price for a gallon of gas rose sharply last week to $3.48, which is four cents more than a week ago. Here in Rockford, that number is $3.60 per gallon, when last week we were at $3.52.

It's been almost two years now since Illinoisans and the rest of the country looked at Memorial Day Weekend as an opportunity to take a long weekend trip, but with COVID-19 numbers going the right way for the most part, plans to hit the road are being made.

With recreational marijuana sales in Illinois setting new sales records almost every month since last year's legalization, AAA Chicago is out with a warning about driving stoned.

I've noticed that there a couple different types of people when it comes to filling up the car with gas. You've got the folks who pull into the nearest gas station, shove their credit card into the pump, fill up their tank, and move on.

In the interests of full disclosure, I must point out that my son and I took a 3,600 mile road trip a couple of weeks back, so it's safe to say that I don't fall into that majority feeling.

In spite of (or maybe because of) warnings galore to skip the traveling over Thanksgiving, lots of Illinoisans still hit the road. Christmastime may be a different story.

The line of cars heading over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house will be a lot shorter this Thanksgiving, according to AAA Chicago.