Travel, Gas Prices on the Increase, AAA Reports

BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 31, 2004 -- A summer that brought record high gas prices and travel approaching pre-9/11 levels will end with gas prices on the increase again and potentially record high Labor Day holiday travel, according to AAA Washington/Inland.

AAA estimates that 34.1 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 2.2 percent increase from last year's record-matching 33.4 million travelers.

Gas prices in Washington and Idaho have increased during the past few weeks and have again gone over $2 per gallon in many areas. Currently, a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline averages $1.997 in Washington and $1.966 in Idaho.

              Sample Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices

  City                   Labor Day   4th of July   Labor Day
                            2004         2004         2003
  Washington               1.997        2.116        1.949
      Bellingham           2.019        2.139        1.944
      Bremerton            1.925        2.101        1.840
      Olympia              1.985        2.089        1.863
      Seattle-Bellevue-
       Everett             2.003        2.151        1.888
      Spokane              2.000        2.100        1.807
      Tacoma               1.916        2.093        1.824
      Tri-Cities           2.005        2.064        1.823
      Vancouver            1.924        2.104        1.843
      Walla Walla          2.060        2.140        1.850
      Wenatchee            2.043        2.134        1.874
      Yakima               2.016        2.038        1.860
  Idaho                    1.966        2.001        1.827
      Coeur d'Alene        2.002        2.009        1.801
      Lewiston             1.930        1.980        1.750

AAA Washington/Inland provides its 840,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services and member-only savings. Since its founding in 1904, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying organization has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Information about AAA's products and services is available at its website at www.aaa.com.