Gas Prices Increase 30 Cents Since Last Holiday Season, AAA Reports
17 December 1999
Gas Prices Increase 30 Cents Since Last Holiday Season, AAA Reports
BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 16 -- The average price of self-serve
regular unleaded gasoline in central and western Washington has increased
30.6 cents per gallon since last Christmas/New Year's holiday season to
$1.376 per gallon. A 2.7 cent increase since Thanksgiving 1999.
The national average for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline increased
2.8 cents per gallon in the last three weeks to $1.31 per gallon, the highest
it's been since December 1990. This is a 28.7 cent per gallon increase since
last holiday season.
A near record 44.6 million Americans are expected to travel 100 miles or
more from home this holiday season, the second highest number of travelers for
any holiday period. Washingtonians are hopping in the sleigh over the holidays
and heading to Leavenworth, Whistler and Victoria, B.C.
Area by Area Comparison of Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices
City Holidays '99 Thanksgiving '99 Holidays '98
Bellevue 1.475 1.392 1.088
Bellingham N/A 1.389 1.086
Bremerton 1.372 1.359 1.030
Everett 1.395 1.373 1.100
Lynnwood 1.396 1.368 1.093
Olympia 1.366 1.348 1.073
Renton 1.355 1.348 1.034
Seattle 1.426 1.406 1.087
Tacoma 1.367 1.322 1.059
Tri-Cities 1.257 1.247 1.005
Vancouver 1.346 1.342 1.066
Wenatchee 1.396 1.390 1.109
Yakima 1.363 1.357 1.079
Average 1.376 1.357 1.070
AAA Washington provides service to more than 630,000 members in western
and central Washington a full range of products and benefits, including
full-service travel agencies and personal lines insurance agencies in each of
its 13 service centers; a range of auto-related services; a variety of
financial products, and member discounts on many consumer products and
services. Although its travel and insurance agencies are available to the
general public, AAA members benefit additionally from many special discounts
and exclusive programs. A not-for-profit organization, AAA Washington also
assists travelers through its highway and transportation safety and
legislative advocacy programs. More information about AAA Washington is
available on the company's website at http://www.aaawa.com.
CONTACT: Janet Ray, 425-646-2058, or Jennifer Harbison, 425-646-2055,
both of AAA Washington.