---

Gas Prices Falling, AAA Reports

23 May 2000

Gas Prices Falling, AAA Reports

    BELLEVUE, Wash., May 23 The average price of self-serve
regular unleaded gasoline in central and western Washington has decreased
8.4 cents since Easter weekend to $1.587 per gallon. However, this is a
25.9-cent increase since Memorial Day 1999.
    Nationally the average of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is
$1.51 per gallon, up 34.9 cents per gallon since one year ago.
    Despite higher gas prices, 34.4 million Americans are expected to travel
100 miles or more from home, up 3 percent from last Memorial Day. Popular
destinations for Washingtonians this holiday weekend include Victoria and
Vancouver, British Columbia; the Washington and Oregon coasts; Las Vegas and
Southern California.

      Area by Area Comparison of Self-Serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices


      City      Memorial Day       Easter      Memorial Day
                    2000            2000           1999

    Bellevue        1.627          1.744          1.361
    Bellingham      1.568          1.663          1.328
    Bremerton       1.563          1.632          1.315
    Everett         1.616          1.700          1.367
    Lynnwood        1.616          1.701          1.369
    Olympia         1.549          1.668          1.353
    Renton          1.598          1.683          1.324
    Seattle         1.711          1.784          1.400
    Tacoma          1.562          1.653          1.359
    Tri-Cities      1.526          1.577          1.196
    Vancouver       1.554          1.641          1.338
    Wenatchee       1.603          1.675          1.299
    Yakima          1.544          1.604          1.260
    Averages        1.587          1.671          1.328

    AAA Washington provides more than 629,000 members in western and central
Washington a full range of products and benefits, including full-service
travel agencies and personal lines insurance agencies in each of its
13 service centers; a range of auto-related services; a variety of financial
products, and member discounts on many consumer products and services.
Although its travel and insurance agencies are available to the general
public, AAA members benefit additionally from many special discounts and
exclusive programs. A not-for-profit organization, AAA Washington also assists
travelers through its highway and transportation safety and legislative
advocacy programs. More information about AAA Washington is available on the
company's website at http://www.aaawa.com.

    CONTACT:  Janet Ray, 425-646-2058, or Jennifer Harbison, 425-646-2055,
both of AAA Washington.