The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Gas Price Highest Since December 1990, AAA Survey Shows

19 October 1999

Gas Price Highest Since December 1990, AAA Survey Shows

    ORLANDO, Fla.--Oct. 19, 1999--Gasoline prices are at their highest level since December 1990 when the United States was preparing for Operation Desert Storm and the federal excise tax on gasoline had been increased an additional nickel per gallon, according to AAA.
    AAA's monthly Fuel Gauge Report shows self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $1.293 per gallon nationwide, up 1.1 cents from September's average price of $1.282. The nationwide average price is now the highest since December 18, 1990 when AAA reported self-serve regular unleaded averaging $1.371.
    Gas prices are up 22.7 cents per gallon since last October, when the average fuel price was $1.066.
    Self-serve mid-grade averages $1.382 per gallon, and self-serve premium averages $1.441, both up 1.6 cents in one month.
    Self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is most expensive in the West at $1.415 per gallon, but the price declined .07 cent from last month. It is least expensive in the Southeast at $1.214, up 1.6 cents this month. One year ago the average price of self-serve regular unleaded in the West was $1.206. In the Southeast, the average price was 99.3 cents a year ago.
    Other regional prices for self-serve regular unleaded are: New England, $1.34 per gallon, 3.1 cents higher than last month and 26.9 cents higher than a year ago; Mid-Atlantic, $1.281, up 1.9 cents since last month and 23.4 cents from last year; Great Lakes, $1.258, down 1.6 cents from last month and 21.4 cents above last year; Midwest, $1.235 up .06 cent from September and 21.1 cents higher than a year ago; and Southwest, $1.248, 2.2 cents higher than last month and 22.7 cents above last year.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for the last six months were: September, $1.282 per gallon; August, $1.255; July, $1.174; June, $1.142; May, $1.157; April $1.15.
    The national average prices for October in the last five years were: 1998, $1.066 per gallon; 1997, $1.264; 1996, $1.259; 1995, $1.154; 1994, $1.157.
    AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service - the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information (800-929-4824, ext. 2645).

    AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news