Drivers in the southwest suburbs found the sharpest relief at the pump in Bridgeview this week, where regular unleaded gasoline fell as low as $4.49 per gallon — a full $0.80 less than the highest prices reported so far this year.
A survey of 26 stations across the Desplaines Valley region conducted Wednesday, June 3, placed the area average at $4.74, down from $4.90 on June 1 and continuing a gradual decline from a recent peak of $5.29 recorded May 18.
Four stations tied for the cheapest price in the survey at $4.49: BP at 7960 W. 79th St. in Bridgeview, Shell at 8700 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview, Mobil at 7901 S. Roberts Rd. in Bridgeview and Shell at 7050 S. Harlem Ave., also in Bridgeview. BP at 4701 S. Central Ave. in Stickney came in fifth at $4.57.
The clustering of low-priced stations along the Bridgeview corridor gives drivers a clear price advantage over those filling up closer to Chicago.
At the top of the scale, Mobil at 5448 W. 55th St. in Chicago and Shell at 9137 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield each hit $5.29. Shell at 4900 S. Cicero Ave. in Chicago came in at $5.09.
That $0.80 spread between the cheapest and most expensive stations translates to as much as $12.00 more on a 15-gallon fill-up, depending solely on which station a driver chooses.
The downward trend over the past two weeks adds context.
After the area average peaked near $5.27 on May 17, prices dropped sharply around May 20 before climbing again, then resumed a steadier decline through June.
Wednesday’s $4.74 average marks the lowest point in the tracking period, suggesting continued downward pressure heading into the summer driving season — though prices remain historically elevated.
Drivers seeking the best value should look to the Bridgeview cluster along Harlem Avenue and 79th Street and the Stickney corridor along Central Avenue. Stations on the Chicago side of the survey area, particularly along Cicero Avenue and 55th Street, consistently posted the highest prices.
The five cheapest stations recorded in this week’s survey:
- BP, 7960 W. 79th St., Bridgeview — $4.49
- Shell, 8700 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview — $4.49
- Mobil, 7901 S. Roberts Rd., Bridgeview — $4.49
- Shell, 7050 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview — $4.49
- BP, 4701 S. Central Ave., Stickney — $4.57