Fuel Prices Drop for Labor Day Holiday Travel, AAA Reports

    BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 27 The price of self-serve regular
unleaded gasoline has decreased 14.7 cents since Fourth of July, and
17.5 cents since last Labor Day, to an average of $1.455 per gallon, AAA
reports.

    Nationally, fuel prices have increased five cents in the last month to an
average of $1.455 per gallon for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline. The
increase is attributed to a major Midwest refinery outage that has boosted
gasoline prices in that region by 20 cents per gallon last week.

    In all, 33.2 million travelers will take a trip 50 miles or more from home
this Labor Day holiday, up from the 32.6 million estimated to have traveled
last year. Of those traveling, 27.7 million are expected to go by motor
vehicle.

    AAA Washington urges motorists to make sure their vehicles are properly
maintained before leaving home this weekend, and be sure to pack the following
items: properly inflated spare tire, flashlight, water, food, extra clothing,
first aid kit, booster cables, warning devices and tire gauge. Also, if you're
traveling with children, pack games and activities, and remember that children
should never be left unattended in a hot car -- even if it's for a quick
errand.

                          Area by Area Comparison of
                   Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices

    City                           Labor Day     Fourth of July    Labor Day
                                      2001            2001           2000
    Bellingham                        1.392           1.584         1.675
    Bremerton                         1.417           1.578         1.579
    Olympia                           1.422           1.568         1.608
    Renton                            1.455           1.602         1.618
    Seattle/Bellevue/
    Everett                           1.535           1.664         1.686
    Tacoma                            1.453           1.593         1.623
    Tri-Cities                        1.525           1.630         1.566
    Vancouver                         1.444           1.591         1.640
    Wenatchee                         1.451           1.587         1.701
    Yakima                            1.452           1.619         1.602
    Averages                          1.455           1.602         1.630