Gas Price Jumps 9 Cents in One Month
20 September 2000
Gas Price Jumps 9 Cents in One Month, AAA Advises Motorists to Conserve Fuel
ORLANDO, Fla.--Sept. 19, 2000--Gasoline prices have moved higher in all regions of the country during the last month and now average $1.58 per gallon for self-serve regular, AAA's daily online Fuel Gauge Report shows. The nationwide average is now 9.1 cents below the all-time highest price of $1.659 reached June 23 of this year.The return of increasing prices is prompting AAA to advise motorists to redouble their fuel conservation efforts and prepare for the possibility of even higher prices this winter.
"The sustained increase in fuel prices this year has caught many motorists by surprise and upset family budgets," said Susan Pikrallidas, vice president, AAA Public Affairs. "For this reason, AAA is recommending motorists make certain their vehicles are in peak operating condition to achieve maximum fuel economy, and make fuel efficient driving a top-priority this winter."
AAA estimates the cost of self-serve regular is averaging $1.50 per gallon so far this year, up .34 cents from last year's average price of $1.16 per gallon.
For a typical two car family using approximately 1,206 gallons of gasoline per year, the increase in fuel prices means $410 in increased driving costs for the year, if prices remain where they are now. AAA publishes advice for consumers on conserving fuel in a pamphlet titled "AAA Gas watcher's Guide", available free from most AAA clubs.
During the last month, prices increased 21.3 cents in the Great Lakes region to average $1.584 and 16.1 cents in the Midwest to average $1.583. Prices are up 7.9 cents in the Southwest to $1.533 and 6.9 cents in the Southeast to 1.491. Prices are up 6.5 cents in the West to $1.731.
New England has seen the smallest increase, 2.2 cents to $1.635, followed by a 2.3 cent increase in the Mid-Atlantic states to $ 1.584.
Self-serve mid-grade unleaded averages $1.678 per gallon nationwide, 9.6 cents more expensive than last month and 31.5 cents higher than last year. Self-serve premium averages $1.738, up 9.9 cents since August 19 and up 32.6 cents in one year.
The national average prices for self-serve regular in the last six months were: August, $1.489; July, $1.577 per gallon; June, $1.634; May $1.465 per gallon; April, $1.489; and March, $1.543.
The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's September survey for the last five years were: 1999, $1.282; 1998, $1.057 per gallon; 1997, $1.288; 1996, $1.255; and 1995, $1.168.AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.
