We present an extension of a simple automaton model to incorporate nonlocal interactions extending over a spatial range in lattice gases. From the viewpoint of statistical mechanics, the lattice gas with interaction range may serve as a prototype for non-ideal-gas behavior. From the density fluctuations correlation function, we obtain a quantity which is identified as a potential of mean force. Equilibrium and transport properties are computed theoretically and by numerical simulations to establish the validity of the model at macroscropic scale.