Gas Price Dips Below December Level, AAA Survey Shows

19 January 2000

Gas Price Dips Below December Level, AAA Survey Shows

    ORLANDO, Fla.--Jan. 18, 2000--Gasoline prices are down an average 2.1 cents per gallon since early December, but are at their highest January level since AAA began reporting monthly fuel prices.
    AAA's January Fuel Gauge Report shows self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.289 per gallon nationwide, the highest price ever recorded by AAA for January. In December, the nationwide average price was $1.31 per gallon, the highest December price since 1990.
    Gas prices are up 31 cents per gallon since last January, when the average fuel price was 97.9 cents per gallon.
    Self-serve mid-grade averages $1.389 per gallon, down 1.5 cents from December. Self-serve premium averages $1.449, down 1.9 cents in six weeks.
    Self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is most expensive in the West at $1.363 per gallon, down 3.4 cents from last month. It is least expensive in the Midwest at $1.222, down 2.5 cents from the previous month. One year ago the average price of self-serve regular unleaded in the West was $1.093. In the Midwest, the average price was 92.2 cents a year ago.
    Other regional prices for self-serve regular unleaded are: New England, $1.343 per gallon, 1 cent lower than last month and 32.1 cents higher than a year ago; Mid-Atlantic, $1.296, down 1.1 cents since last month and 32.5 cents higher than last year; Great Lakes, $1.282, down 2.9 cents from last month and 32.2 cents above last year; Southeast, $1.235 down 1.9 cents from December and 32.8 cents higher than a year ago; and Southwest, $1.252, 1.3 cents lower than last month and 31.7 cents above last year.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for the last six months were: December, $1.31 per gallon; November, $1.282 per gallon; October, $1.293; September, $1.282; August, $1.255; July, $1.174.
    The national average prices for January in the last nine years were: 1999, 97.9 cents per gallon; 1998, $1.159; 1997, $1.288; 1996, $1.139; 1995, $1.13; 1994, $1.06; 1993, $1.103; 1992, $1.068; 1991, $1.249.
    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. 2645).

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