Gas Prices up 1.1 Cents Since Mid-May, AAA Says

    ORLANDO, Fla.--June 17, 2003--The nationwide average price of self-serve regular gasoline is up just 1.1 cents since mid-May to $1.514 per gallon, AAA's daily online Fuel Gauge Reports shows http://www.fuelgaugereport.com.
    The slight increase in the nationwide average price masks widely different price changes in the various regions of the country this summer, AAA said. Prices are up considerably in many markets of the Great Lakes and Midwest, while prices are fairly stable or lower in many areas of the Northeast. And, prices are lower on the West Coast compared to May.
    AAA said summer gasoline prices are more subject to regional influences during the summer. These influences include the mandatory use of different cleaner-burning fuel blends in many areas, and the heavy importation of gasoline from Europe to the East Coast.
    AAA said today's average nationwide gasoline price is 13.3 cents higher per gallon than one year ago, when the price was $1.381 per gallon.
    Since mid-May, gasoline prices have increased an average of 11.8 cents per gallon in the Great Lakes region to $1.572 per gallon. Average gas prices are up an average of 5.7 cents per gallon in the Midwest to $1.516 per gallon. Prices are 3.9 cents per gallon higher in the Southeast and average $1.419. In the Southwest, prices are up an average 0.08 cent per gallon to $1.484.
    Gasoline prices are down 3.8 cents in the Western region to $1.592 and 3.5 cents lower in New England to an average $1.515 per gallon. In the Mid-Atlantic States, gas prices are 2.9 cents lower, averaging $1.479 per gallon.
    Nationwide, the price of self-serve, mid-grade averages $1.608, an increase of 1.3 cent per gallon since last month, and 13.6 cents higher than one year ago. Self-serve premium averages $1.666 per gallon, also up 1.3 cent mid-May, and 14.6 cents higher than last year.
    Average regional prices for self-serve regular in mid-June of last year were: West, $1.493; New England, $1.41; Great Lakes, $1.391; Mid-Atlantic, $1.401; Midwest, $1.347; Southwest, $1.344; and Southeast, $1.315.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's mid-June survey for the last five years are: 2002, $1.381; 2001, $1.661; 2000, $1.664; 1999, $1.142; and 1998, $1.108.
    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 comprehensive public source of fuel price information.
    As the nation's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 46 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.

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