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Spring Gasoline Prices Continue To Fall, AAA Says

14 May 1997

Spring Gasoline Prices Continue To Fall, AAA Says

    ORLANDO, Fla., May 13 -- Memorial Day motorists will find the
price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline down for the fourth consecutive
month, continuing a reversal from least spring's surging prices, according to
AAA.
    AAA's monthly Fuel Gauge Report shows the national average price of self-
serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.242 per gallon for May, down 1.1 cents
from last month and 6.5 cents lower than one year ago.
    Last year, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline rose
a total of 17.8 cents per gallon in March, April and May.  In the same period
this year, the price dropped by 4.5 cents.
    The average price for self-serve mid-grade gasoline is $1.319 per gallon,
down 2.1 cents from April and 7.8 cents less than one year ago.  Premium
averages $1.39, a decrease of 1.1 cents from last month and down 8.8 cents
from last year.
    The most expensive average price for self-serve regular unleaded in the
country is in the West at $1.364 per gallon, down 1.6 cents from April and 8.7
cents less than a year ago.  The lowest price is in the Southeast at $1.175,
down 1.2 cents from last month and 6.1 cents lower than last May.
    Other regional prices for self-serve are: New England, $1.266 per gallon,
down 1.1 cents in one month and 6.3 cents less than last year; Mid-Atlantic,
$1.222, down 4.2 cents this month and down 8.5 cents from a year ago; Great
Lakes, $1.195, up .4 cent from last month and 8.3 cents less than last year;
Midwest, $1.199, down 2.1 cents this month and 5.2 cents less than a year ago;
and Southwest, $1.231, down 2.2 cents in one month and 6.8 cents lower than
last year.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for
the last six months were: April, $1.253 per gallon; March, $1.271; February,
$1.287; January, $1.288; December, $1.288; and November, $1.277.
    The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in
May for the last five years were: 1996, $1.307 per gallon; 1995, $1.196; 1994,
$1.105; 1993, $1.132; and 1992, $1.139.
    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. 645).
    AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 99 clubs with more than 1000 offices
providing more than 39 million members in the U.S. and Canada with travel,
insurance, financial and auto-related services.

SOURCE  American Automobile Association