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AAA Says Gas Prices Up: First Rise Since October

16 March 1999

Gas Prices Up First Time Since October, AAA Survey Shows

    ORLANDO, Fla.--March 16, 1999--The national average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline increased 1 cent in one month to 97 cents per gallon, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. This marks the first increase in gas prices since October 1998, when prices rose .9 cent from September.
    The current price is 11.1 cents cheaper than last March's average price of $1.081 per gallon.
    AAA's report is based on data from more than 65,000 gasoline transactions from March 12-15.
    The average price of self-serve mid-grade unleaded is $1.065, .6 cent more than last month and 10.8 cents below last year. Self-serve premium averages $1.124, up 1.1 cents in one month and down 10.4 cents from a year ago.
    Regional averages remain below $1 per gallon everywhere except the West, where self-serve regular unleaded is $1.104 per gallon, up 2.2 cents in one month and down 8.3 cents in one year. It is least expensive in the Southeast at 89.6 cents, down .3 cent in one month and 11.7 cents in one year.
    Other regional prices for self-serve unleaded are: New England, 98.3 cents per gallon, down 1.8 cents since last month; Mid-Atlantic, 94.4 cents, down .9 cent; Great Lakes, 95.4 cents, up 1.3 cents; Midwest, 92.3 cents, up .3 cent; and Southwest, 94.2 cents, up 1.6 cents.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for the last six months were: February, 96 cents per gallon; January, 97.9 cents; December, $1.023; November, $1.055; October, $1.066; and September, $1.057.
    The national average prices for March in the last five years were: 1998, $1.081 per gallon; 1997, $1.271; 1996, $1.18; 1995, $1.116; and 1994, $1.065.
    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 is a not-for-profit federation of 91 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 41 million members in the United States and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.

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