Motorists Get Holiday Treat As Gas Prices Fall, AAA Says
9 December 1997
Motorists Get Holiday Treat As Gas Prices Fall, AAA SaysORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 9 -- Motorists feeling the pinch of holiday expenses will get a break at the pump as gas prices dropped for the third straight month and are now 7.2 cents per gallon less than one year ago, according to AAA. AAA's monthly Fuel Gauge Report shows the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.216 per gallon, down 1.8 cents since mid- November and down 7.2 cents since mid-September. The average price of self-serve mid-grade unleaded is $1.304 per gallon, 1.6 cents less than last month and 6.9 cents less than one year ago. Self- serve premium is $1.358, down 1.7 cents from a month ago and 8.1 cents less than last year. Self-serve regular unleaded is most expensive in the West at $1.361 per gallon, down 2.3 cents from last month and 2 cents less than a year ago. It is least expensive in the Southeast at $1.126, 1.4 cents less than a month ago and 9 cents less than last year. Other regional prices for self-serve are: New England, $1.268 per gallon, down 1.8 cents in one month and 4 cents less than last year; Mid-Atlantic, $1.202, down 1.8 cents this month and down 7.1 cents from a year ago; Great Lakes, $1.149, down 1.9 cents from last month and 16 cents less than last year; Midwest, $1.161, 1.6 cents less than last month and down 11.7 cents from a year ago; and Southwest, $1.193, down 1.9 cents in one month and 5.4 cents less than last year. The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for the last six months were: November, $1.234 per gallon, October, $1.264; September, $1.288; August, $1.264; July, $1.233; and June, $1.25. The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in December for the last five years were: 1996, $1.288 per gallon; 1995, $1.118; 1994, $1.149; 1993, $1.091; and 1992, $1.128. AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 97 clubs with more than 1,000 offices providing 40 million members in the U.S. and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services. AAA news releases can be downloaded from the following sites: AOL -- Keyword: AAA; Click on "News and Events," "News Releases." INTERNET -- http://www.aaa.com/news/news.html SOURCE American Automobile Association