Lowest Fuel Prices Since 1989, AAA Survey Shows
9 December 1998
Lowest Fuel Prices Since 1989, AAA Survey Shows
ORLANDO, Fla.--Dec. 8, 1998--The national average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline decreased in December to $1.023 per gallon, down 3.2 cents since November, according to AAA.
Gas prices haven't been this low since they were $1.02 in November 1989. The current price is 19.3 cents cheaper than last December's average price of $1.216.
The average price of self-serve mid-grade unleaded is $1.116, 2.9 cents lower than last month and 18.8 cents below last year. Self-serve premium averages $1.172, down 3.1 cents in one month and down 18.7 cents since last year.
Self-serve regular unleaded is most expensive in the West at $1.179 per gallon, down 1.3 cents in one month and 18.2 cents in one year. It is least expensive in the Midwest at 95.1 cents, down 5.6 cents in one month and 21 cents in one year.
Other regional prices for self-serve unleaded are: New England, $1.054 per gallon, down 1.7 cents since last month; Mid Atlantic, $1.015, down 3.1 cents; Great Lakes, 97 cents, down 5.5 cents; Southeast, 95.3 cents, down 3.0 cents; and Southwest, 97.4 cents, down 2.7 cents.
The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for the last six months were: November, $1.055 per gallon; October, $1.066; September, $1.057; August, $1.075; July, $1.099; June, $1.108.
The national average prices for December in the last five years were: 1997, $1.216 per gallon; 1996, $1.288; 1995, $1.118; 1994, $1.149 and 1993, $1.091.
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 93 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 41 million members in the United States and Canada with services such as travel, insurance, financial and automotive.
AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news
