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Gas Prices Equal Highest Point In 1997, Says AAA

16 September 1997

Gas Prices Equal Highest Point In 1997, Says AAA

    ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 16 -- Self-serve regular unleaded
gasoline rose 2.4 cents per gallon since mid-August to match the highest
monthly national average price so far this year.
    AAA's monthly Fuel Gauge Report shows the average price of self-serve
regular unleaded gasoline is $1.288 per gallon, equaling this year's previous
high in January.  The gasoline price this month is 3.3 cents higher than one
year ago.
    The average price of self-serve mid-grade unleaded is $1.370 per gallon,
2.4 cents more than last month and 6.4 cents above a year ago.  Self-serve
premium is $1.432, 2 cents higher than a month ago and 2.5 cents more than
last year.
    Self-serve regular unleaded is most expensive in the West at $1.40 per
gallon, up 4.6 cents from last month and 1.3 cents higher than a year ago.  It
is least expensive in the Southeast at $1.192, 1.1 cents more than a month ago
and 2.2 cents more than last year.
    Other regional prices for self-serve are: New England, $1.351 per gallon,
up 5 cents in one month and 7.8 cents higher than last year; Mid-Atlantic,
$1.279, up 3.8 cents this month and up 3.2 cents from a year ago; Great Lakes,
$1.259, down 2.2 cents from last month and 3.4 cents higher than last year;
Midwest, $1.253, up .7 cents this month and up 1.7 cents from a year ago; and
Southwest, $1.252, 2.7 cents in one month and .6 cent more than last year.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for
the past six months were:  August, $1.264 per gallon; July, $1.233; June,
$1.25; May, $1.242; April, $1.253; and March, $1.271.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in
September for the past five years were: 1996, $1.255 per gallon; 1995, $1.168;
1994, $1.188; 1993, $1.082; and 1992, $1.163.
    The annual average monthly price for regular self-serve in 1996 was $1.242
per gallon, higher than any year since 1985 when the price averaged $1.284.
Annual averages for the past five years were: 1995, $1.16 per gallon; 1994,
$1.125; 1993, $1.111; 1992, $1.125; and 1991, $1.147.
    AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information
Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing
information (800-929-4824, ext. 645).
    AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 97 motor clubs with more than 1,000
offices providing 40 million members in the U.S. and Canada with travel,
insurance, financial and auto-related services.

SOURCE  American Automobile Association