AURORA, Ill., Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AAA Chicago's most recent Fuel Gauge Report estimates that in Illinois, the average regular unleaded gasoline prices decreased $.24 in November with an average cost of $3.52 for the month. This price is $.04 higher than last year.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100506/AAACHILOGO)

In northern Indiana, gas prices averaged $3.43 in November, which is down $.16 from October 2012 and up $.10 from November 2011. For both Illinois and Indiana, this is the lowest monthly average since January 2012.

"Most motorists managed to save a little money on gasoline just in time for holiday shopping," said Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago spokesperson. "Prices unfortunately did not fall as quickly as most of us would have liked as a result of factors ranging from fighting in the Middle East to optimism over the 'fiscal cliff.'"          

AAA predicts that gas prices will slowly drop through the end of the year and average between $3.20-$3.40 a gallon (national average) by New Year's Day.   

Other monthly averages across the region:

• In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.71, which is down $.25 from last month and $.08 higher than last year's price-per-gallon.
• In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.57 per gallon, which is a $.22 decrease from October and up $.04 from last year.
• In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.54 per gallon, which is $.23 lower compared to last month and $.05 higher than November 2011's price.
• In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.54 per gallon, which is $.23 lower than last month and up by $.07 compared to this time last year.
• In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.50 per gallon, which is $.27 lower than last month's average and $.06 higher than November 2011's price.
• In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.51 per gallon, which is $.22 lower compared to last month and $.03 higher compared to last year.
• In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.46 per gallon, a decrease of $.12 from October and an increase of $.09 from last year.
• In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.40 per gallon, which is $.15 lower from last month and $.09 higher than last year.
• In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.45 per gallon, which is down $.20 compared to last month and up $.07 from November 2011.
• In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.38 per gallon, which is $.17 lower than last month and $.01 higher than last year.
• In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.47 per gallon, a decrease of $.20 from October and $.05 higher than November 2011.
• In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.45 per gallon, which is $.14 lower from last month and $.13 higher than November 2011's price.
• In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.43 per gallon, a $.16 decrease from October's average and a $.09 increase from a year ago.
• In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.43 per gallon, which is $.15 lower than last month and $.12 higher than last year.
• In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.46 per gallon, which is $.19 lower compared to last month and $.14 higher compared to last year.

Fuel prices are posted on-line at www.fuelgaugereport.com, which updates prices daily for unleaded, diesel and E85 blends of fuel.

SOURCE AAA Chicago