WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. average price for a gallon of gasoline in October was cheaper than last year but an Illinois refinery fire caused regional woes, the AAA said.
A monthly survey published Thursday showed gasoline prices in all 50 states were down from a year ago.
Alaska, Utah, Arizona and California had the largest declines with prices, on average, 41 cents lower than last year. Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan had the smallest decreases, with an average 7.7 cent decline from last year.
AAA spokesman Michael Green told UPI motorists in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio were experiencing higher gasoline prices, though, because of a fire last week at a Citgo refinery in Lemont, Ill.
"It is possible that consumers in the Great Lakes region will pay higher prices in the days ahead as suppliers compensate for reduced refinery production," he said.
Gasoline prices Friday for Michigan, Ohio and Illinois averaged $3.33 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.
The AAA reported a national average Friday of $3.27.
For October, the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.34, the cheapest for the month since 2010, the AAA said, and 37 cents lower than October 2012.
