U.S. Gas Prices Scream to Record Highs During April, AAA Fuel Gauge Report Shows

ORLANDO, Fla.--April 12, 2005--After breaking the previous all-time record high average price for self-serve regular gasoline on March 17, fuel prices have skyrocketed an additional 21.2 cents per gallon higher to $2.266 per gallon as of today, according to AAA's daily, online Fuel Gauge Report, http://www.fuelgaugereport.com. The old record high price of $2.054 per gallon was set last May 26, 2005.

AAA, which monitors national, state and local gasoline prices as a public service, said today is the first day since the old record fell that gasoline prices have declined; down one penny per gallon from yesterday's average price of $2.276 per gallon.

Citing a recently released USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll, AAA said the high price of gasoline is now one of the public's top concerns. High gas prices are third behind terrorism and the rising cost of health care as the issue Americans most want the president and Congress to address in the coming year, the poll shows.

One year ago the average price of self-serve regular gasoline was $1.772 per gallon. Five years ago the price was $1.489 per gallon; 78 cents per gallon less expensive.

The West experienced the biggest increase during the last month, with prices up an average of 25.1 cents per gallon to average $2.474. The average price increased in the Great Lakes states by 19.5 cents to $2.295 per gallon. The average price increased 22.2 cents in the Southwest to $2.236 per gallon.

Prices are 18.6 cents higher in the Midwest, averaging $2.24. In the Southeast prices have climbed 23.3 cents to average $2.211 per gallon. Gas prices average 19.5 cents higher in the Mid-Atlantic region since mid-March and now cost $2.229. In New England, prices are up 19 cents per gallon to average $2.22.

Nationwide, the price of self-serve, mid-grade averages $2.405 per gallon, an increase of 24.8 cents per gallon since last month, and 49.4 cents higher than one year ago. Self-serve premium averages $2.493 per gallon, up 25.7 cents since mid-March and 54.4 cents higher than one year ago.

Average regional prices for self-serve regular in mid-April of last year were: Great Lakes, $1.789; New England, $1.753; West, $1.878; Mid-Atlantic, $1.74; Midwest, $1.736; Southwest, $1.731; and Southeast, $1.689.

The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's mid-April survey for the last five years are: 2004, $1.772; 2003, $1.558; 2002, $1.411; 2001, $1.587; and 2000, $1.489.

AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information. AAA purchases the data and makes it available free on the Internet as a public service. Average daily prices for the nation, all 50 states and more than 250 localities are available for all grades of gasoline, making the site the most current and complete public source of fuel price information.

As the nation's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 48 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at http://www.aaa.com.