Gas prices have crept up close to where they were a year ago, with many peaks and valleys in between, according to an analysis by Runzheimer International, the Rochester, WI-based management consulting firm. In April 2001, Americans were paying, on average, $1.455 for a gallon of self-serve unleaded regular gasoline and $1.704 for a gallon of self-serve unleaded premium. In April 2002, the price was $1.390 per gallon for self-serve regular and $1.663 for self-serve premium. In between, there were highs of $1.720 for regular and $1.971 for premium in June 2001, and lows of $1.127 for regular and $1.393 for premium in December 2001, a difference of over 59 cents per gallon for self-serve regular. “If oil producing nations decrease production of petroleum and/or industrial nations increase demand -- such as during the summer driving season -- prices will rise,” said Runzheimer consultant Jon Krause, from the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. “There is so much volatility and uncertainty in the world today that the smooth and steady flow of a predictable amount of petroleum worldwide is nearly impossible. The only sure bet is that fuel prices will fluctuate in the near-term future, just as they have in the recent past.”
MONTHLY U.S. AVERAGE GAS PRICE COMPARISONS
Month Self-Serve Unleaded Regular Self-Serve Unleaded Premium
April 2001 $1.455 $1.704
May 1.681 1.932
June 1.720 1.971
July 1.493 1.748
August 1.402 1.661
September 1.565 1.830
October 1.485 1.752
November 1.269 1.538
December 1.127 1.393
January 2002 1.135 1.404
February 1.153 1.429
March 1.169 1.451
April 1.390 1.663
The fuel prices shown above are based on the national average for a gallon of self-serve unleaded regular and self-serve unleaded premium gasoline at name-brand retail service stations nationwide. Prices were gathered during the first five business days of each month.
0 Comments