Average Gas Price Up 1.5 Cents From Mid-July, Fla. AAA Reports

    ORLANDO, Fla.--Aug. 13, 2002--The nationwide average price of self-serve regular gasoline has increased 1.5 cents per gallon since mid-July, from $1.39 to $1.405 per gallon, AAA said today.
    In contrast to the previous two summers when fuel prices fluctuated wildly and reached record highs, the nationwide average gasoline price stabilized near $1.40 per gallon last April and has stayed there. In AAA's view, stable gasoline prices are desirable for the nation's economy because they allow consumers, businesses and government agencies to accurately anticipate fuel expenses as part of their on-going budgets.
    On July 16 of 2001, the nationwide average price of self-serve regular gasoline was $1.387 per gallon. Last month, the average price was $1.39, AAA said.
    Since mid-July, prices increased an average 5 cents per gallon in New England to $1.448. In the Midwest, gasoline prices are up 3.3 cents to $1.414. Prices in the Mid-Atlantic region are up 2.6 cents to $1.412. Western gasoline prices increased 1.4 cents to $1.531 since mid-July.
    Average gas prices are up .9 cents per gallon in the Southeast to $1.321; increased .4 cents per gallon in the Great Lakes to $1.415; and inched .2 cents higher per gallon in the Southwest to $1.364.
    Nationwide, the price of self-serve, mid-grade averages $1.492, an increase of 1.7 cents per gallon since last month, and 1.9 cents more expensive than last year.
    Self-serve premium averages $1.545 per gallon, up 1.6 cents since mid-July, and 1.9 cents higher than one year ago.
    Average regional prices for self-serve regular in August of last year were: West, $1.48; New England, $1.46; Great Lakes, $1.42; Midwest, $1.41; Mid-Atlantic, $1.41; Southwest, $1.33; and Southeast, $1.28.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's mid-August survey for the last five years are: 2001, $1.387; 2000, $1.496; 1999, $1.255; 1998, $1.075; and 1997, $1.264.
    AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.
    As the nation's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its more than 45 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.
    AAA news releases are available from http://www.aaa.com/news.