Gas Prices and Snow Falling, Travel Up, AAA Reports

BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 21, 2003 -- Thanksgiving holiday travelers will find the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Washington $1.610 per gallon. A dramatic change from Labor Day weekend's $1.951 per gallon, but still 20 cents higher than one year ago. The national average of self-serve regular unleaded is $1.504 per gallon.

AAA estimates 36 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, up 2.4 percent from last year. Approximately 31.1 million travelers are expected to travel by motor vehicle, and another 4.6 million plan to go by airplane. AAA expects auto travel to be heaviest on Thanksgiving Day.

Mountain passes are accumulating snow and that means motorists need to prepare for poor driving conditions. For brave holiday travelers, AAA has compiled a list of travel tips and winter driving tips on its website, www.aaa.com. The list includes tips for road travel, air travel and what to do before you leave home. Click on the "Holiday Travel Tips" icon on AAA's homepage (membership not required).

              Sample Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices

                                   Thanksgiving   Labor Day   Thanksgiving
   City                                2003          2003         2002

   Washington
     Bellingham                       1.629          1.944        1.353
     Bremerton                        1.589          1.840        1.325
     Olympia                          1.592          1.863        1.251
     Seattle-Bellevue-Everett         1.610          1.888        1.416
     Spokane                          1.587          1.807        1.405
     Tacoma                           1.544          1.824        1.341
     Tri-Cities                       1.627          1.823        1.470
     Vancouver                        1.561          1.843        1.326
     Walla Walla                      1.690          1.850         N/A
     Wenatchee                        1.627          1.874        1.439
     Yakima                           1.630          1.860        1.376
   Idaho
     Coeur d'Alene                    1.649          1.801        1.462
     Lewiston                         1.560          1.750          N/A

AAA Washington/Inland provides over 829,000 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. More information is available at www.aaa.com.