Average Gas Price at Highest Level since Last November, AAA Reports

ORLANDO, Fla.--March 14, 2006--Gasoline prices are at their highest levels since last November 9 with the current nationwide average price of self-serve, regular gasoline at $2.363 per gallon, AAA's daily, online Fuel Gauge Report (http://www.aaafuelgaugereport.com) shows.

AAA, the nation's largest organization for motorists, said the high prices are partly due to oil prices near $64 per barrel, as well as seasonal maintenance being preformed at gasoline refineries which temporarily limits gasoline production.

AAA said current prices are somewhat puzzling, however, since domestic gasoline inventories are near year-ago levels when a gallon of self-serve regular averaged $2.032 per gallon; or 33 cents less expensive than today.

Hawaii has the highest price in the nation at $2.729 per gallon. California and New York have the next highest average prices at $2.573 per gallon and $2.471 per gallon; respectively.

The lowest state-wide average gasoline price in the nation is in New Jersey at $2.163 per gallon. South Carolina has the next lowest average price at $2.22 per gallon, and Wyoming has the third lowest price at $2.231 per gallon.

Nationwide, the price of self-serve, mid-grade gasoline averages $2.509 per gallon, an increase from $2.443 per gallon in the middle of last month, and up from $2.157 one year ago. Self-serve premium averages $2.599 per gallon, up from $2.531 per gallon one month ago, and up from $2.236 one year ago.

The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's mid-March survey for the last five years are: 2005, $2.032; 2004, $1.72; 2003, $1.702; 2002, $1.215; and 2001, $1.435.

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 nearly 49 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.