Gas Price Nearly Unchanged from One Month Ago, AAA Fuel Gauge Report Shows

BURNSVILLE, Minn.--The nationwide average price of self-service regular gasoline is just 0.3 cent per gallon lower since the middle of last month at $2.229 per gallon, according to AAA’s daily, on-line Fuel Gauge Report (www.aaafuelgaugereport.com). The national average price briefly fell below $2.20 cents per gallon before last week’s election, but has increased about 3 cents in the last seven days.

Gail Weinholzer, director of public affairs, AAA Minnesota/Iowa said anticipated demand for gasoline during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel period may be pulling prices somewhat higher, but the nation’s largest organization for motorists said the longer-term outlook for prices near current levels is promising.

The average price of self-serve regular was $2.232 per gallon one month ago. One year ago the price was $2.293 per gallon, AAA said.

According to AAA, Hawaii has the highest average gas price in the nation at $2.859 per gallon. Alaska and Washington state have the next highest average prices; at $2.512 and $2.498 per gallon, respectively.

New Jersey has the lowest state-wide average gasoline price in the nation at $2.046 per gallon. South Carolina has the next lowest price at $2.087 per gallon, followed by Missouri with an average gas price of $2.097 per gallon.

Nationwide, the price of self-serve, mid-grade gasoline averages $2.366 per gallon, a decline from $2.37 per gallon in the middle of last month, and down from $2.433 one year ago. Self-serve premium averages $2.451 per gallon nationwide; down from $2.456 one month ago. Premium averaged $2.522 per gallon at this time last year.

The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's mid-November survey for the last five years are: 2005, $2.293; 2004, $1.942; 2003, $1.504; 2002, $1.458; and 2001, $1.206.

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.