Gas Prices 17 Cents Below Last 4th of July, AAA Reports

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 26 -- Gasoline prices remain well below the levels of last Independence Day, and have remained very stable nationwide as the summer driving season begins, AAA reports.

The average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Washington is 17 cents lower than last year, at 1.472 per gallon. Nationally prices are holding steady at 1.390 per gallon, 19.6 cents below one year ago.

Stable gas prices are great news for the 32 million Americans expected to travel by car, truck or RV this Fourth of July, up 1.4 percent from last year. Overall, an estimated 36.7 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday.

                 Sample Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices**

     City                       4th of July    Memorial Day   4th of July
                                   2002           2002           2001
     Bellingham                    1.459          1.382          1.584
     Bremerton                     1.413          1.365          1.578
     Olympia                       1.399          1.375          1.568
     Seattle-Bellevue-Everett      1.494          1.475          1.664
     Spokane                       1.475          1.335          1.601
     Tacoma                        1.414          1.394          1.593
     Tri-Cities                    1.450          1.404          1.630
     Vancouver                     1.397          1.350          1.591
     Wenatchee                     1.406          1.328          1.587
     Yakima                        1.414          1.396          1.619

AAA Washington provides more than 680,000 members in western and central Washington a full range of products and benefits, including travel agencies, personal lines insurance agencies, a range of auto-related services, and member discounts. A not-for-profit organization, AAA Washington also assists travelers through its highway and transportation safety and legislative advocacy programs. More information about AAA Washington is available at www.aaa.com.

Please Note: AAA Washington's Fuel Gauge Report now includes the entire state of Washington. The sum of the sample prices may not match the state total because prices are collected in more areas than are listed.

CONTACT: Janet Ray, +1-425-646-2058, or Jennifer Harbison, +1-425-646-2055, both of AAA Washington.