April Gas Prices Show Slight Increase, AAA Reports

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 7 -- AAA reports the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Washington has increased five cents in the past month and now averages $1.855 per gallon. A year ago, prices averaged $1.811. In Idaho prices now average $1.847 per gallon, an increase of more than eight cents. Nationally, the average for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.773 per gallon, five cents more than one month ago.

AAA says that the U.S. Department of Energy recently reported that demand for gasoline is running about four percent ahead of last year. This may be an earlier indicator that consumers will not let high prices stop them from planning and taking summer auto vacation trips this year.

  Local Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices
  City                    Easter-Holiday    Presidents' Day       April
                               2004               2004             2003

  Washington
       Bellingham             1.865              1.722            1.807
       Bremerton              1.830              1.684            1.784
       Olympia                1.852              1.685            1.802
  Seattle-Bellevue-Everett    1.851              1.707            1.872
       Spokane                1.817              1.656            1.736
       Tacoma                 1.822              1.656            1.803
       Tri-Cities             1.821              1.661            1.752
       Vancouver              1.800              1.658            1.782
       Walla Walla            1.880              1.730            1.750
       Wenatchee              1.849              1.690            1.703
       Yakima                 1.846              1.678            1.776
  Idaho
       Coeur d'Alene          1.786              1.642            1.777
       Lewiston               1.840              1.590            1.675

AAA Washington/Inland has been serving members since 1904. Today, the organization's members benefit by roadside assistance and other automotive programs, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, trip planning services, and highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available at the company's website at www.aaa.com.