Gas Prices On The Rise, Says AAA
20 May 1998
Gas Prices On The Rise, Says AAABELLEVUE, Wash., May 19 -- The average price of self-serve, unleaded gasoline rose 8 cents per gallon in western and central Washington since mid-March, the first time in seven months prices have gone up. The average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded self-serve fuel is now $1.11, compared to the Easter price of $1.03. Last year at this time, the regional average price was $1.29 cents a gallon. The current national average is $1.09. Rising prices are attributed to increased demand by the start of the summer driving season. Traditionally, Memorial Day kicks off the driving trend and record numbers of travelers are expected to take to the roads this weekend, more than 1 percent higher than last year. AAA estimates 26.7 million people will travel by auto, light truck, or recreational vehicle, with another 5.4 million traveling by air, train or bus. The West leads the way with 6.9 million travelers. Favorite Washington Memorial Day destinations include state and national parks, the Washington and Oregon coasts, Anaheim (Disneyland) and Las Vegas. AAA Washington is a not-for-profit organization with 13 offices in central and western Washington. The club provides more than 570,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services. AAA Washington Memorial Day Fuel Price Averages Area by Area Comparison of Self-Serve Regular Unleaded Fuel PricesCity Memorial Easter 98 Memorial Day 98 Day 97 Bellevue/Eastside 1.12 1.06 1.33 Bellingham 1.13 1.06 1.30 Bremerton 1.10 .97 1.31 Everett 1.14 1.06 1.32 Lynnwood 1.11 1.05 1.30 Olympia N/A 1.05 1.31 Renton N/A 1.05 1.30 Seattle 1.16 1.10 1.34 Tacoma 1.12 1.05 1.32 Tri-Cities 1.05 .99 1.10 Vancouver 1.12 1.01 1.31 Wenatchee 1.12 1.02 1.31 Yakima N/A 1.03 1.25 AVERAGE 1.11 1.03 1.29