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Gas Prices Surge 11.8 Cents in Two Weeks, AAA Survey Shows

1 April 1999

Gas Prices Surge 11.8 Cents in Two Weeks, AAA Survey Shows

    ORLANDO, Fla.--March 31, 1999--Easter motorists can expect to pay nearly 12 cents more for a gallon of gasoline than they did two weeks ago.
    The national average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline increased 11.8 cents since March 16 to $1.088 per gallon, according to a special AAA Fuel Gauge Report.
    This marks the largest increase in gas prices since August 1990 when prices increased 23.2 cents following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
    AAA's report is based on data from more than 37,000 gasoline transactions on March 30.
    The average price of self-serve mid-grade unleaded is $1.178, 11.4 cents more than two weeks ago. Self-serve premium averages $1.235, up 11.1 cents in two weeks.
    Regional averages are highest in the West, where self-serve regular unleaded is $1.243 per gallon, up 13.9 cents in two weeks. It is least expensive in the Southeast at $1.003, up 10.6 cents.
    Other regional prices for self-serve unleaded are: New England, $1.054 per gallon, up 7.2 cents in two weeks; Mid-Atlantic, $1.032, up 8.8 cents; Great Lakes, $1.123, up 17 cents; Midwest, $1.042, up 11.9 cents; and Southwest, $1.087, up 14.5 cents.
    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