Gas Prices Continue to Decline, Travel Increases for Holiday Weekend, AAA Reports

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 27 -- AAA reports the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Washington ($1.600/gal) and Idaho ($1.566/gal) remains at or below Memorial Day prices. In Washington, the cost per gallon decreased less than one cent, and in Idaho prices have decreased four cents since Memorial Day. The national average for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.49 per gallon.

Americans are showing an increased interest in vacation travel, especially road trips, this Fourth of July weekend. AAA expects 37.4 million people to travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday -- the highest total for the Fourth of July holiday in nine years -- 32.6 million are expected to go by motor vehicle. AAA Washington/Inland reports a high level of TripTik(R) routing requests from local members for road trips to Yellowstone, Southern California, Arizona and to visit family and friends.

                Sample Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices

  City                      4th of July      Memorial Day     4th of July
                               2003             2003              2002
  Washington
   Bellingham                 1.615             1.613            1.459
   Bremerton                  1.577             1.576            1.413
   Olympia                    1.571             1.576            1.399
   Seattle-Bellevue-Everett   1.608             1.634            1.494
   Spokane                    1.561             1.567            1.475
   Tacoma                     1.559             1.574            1.414
   Tri-Cities                 1.585             1.597            1.450
   Vancouver                  1.541             1.557            1.397
   Walla Walla                1.640             1.644              N/A
   Wenatchee                  1.592               N/A            1.406
   Yakima                     1.605             1.594            1.414
  Idaho
   Coeur d'Alene              1.601             1.657            1.601
   Lewiston                   1.550             1.539              N/A

AAA Washington/Inland provides over 820,000 members in Washington and northern Idaho a full range of products and benefits, including travel agencies, personal lines insurance agencies, a range of auto-related services, and member discounts on many consumer products and services. A not-for-profit organization, AAA also assists travelers through its highway and transportation safety and legislative advocacy programs. More information about AAA is available on the company's website at www.aaa.com. For daily fuel price updates go to www.fuelgaugereport.com.