July 4 Gas Prices Soar Nearly 50 Cents in 1 Year, According to AAA Survey
20 June 2000
July 4 Gas Prices Soar Nearly 50 Cents in 1 Year, According to AAA Survey
ORLANDO, Fla. - Fourth of July holiday travelers will find the highest
gasoline prices in history as the monthly average soared 13.3 cents in the last
month, according to AAA.
AAA's Fuel Gauge Report shows the national average price of self-serve
regular unleaded gasoline is $1.644 per gallon, 49.6 cents higher than last
July 4 when prices averaged $1.148 per gallon.
Self-serve mid-grade unleaded is $1.745 per gallon, 14 cents more than
last month and 53 cents higher than last year. Self-serve premium is $1.809,
up 14.7 cents since May and up 54.6 cents in one year.
The Great Lakes region replaced the West as the most expensive area in the
nation for retail gas prices. Major supply problems in Detroit, Chicago, and
Milwaukee and the introduction of reformulated gasoline in some areas sent
prices skyrocketing.
Average gas prices climbed above $2 per gallon in the Detroit, Chicago and
Milwaukee areas. Prices in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin also exceed
prices in Hawaii, which traditionally has had the nation's highest gas prices.
The national average prices for the last six months were: May, $1.516 per
gallon; April, $1.489; March, $1.543; February, $1.367; and January, $1.289.
The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for
AAA's pre-July 4th survey for the last five years were: 1999, $1.148 per
gallon; 1998, $1.108; 1997, $1.25; 1996, $1.303; and 1995, $1.288.
AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information
Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing
information.
As the nation's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA
provides its 43 million members with travel, insurance, financial and
automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit,
fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safety and security of
all travelers.
