Cheaper fuel better gift than coal in stocking

Published 9:00 pm Friday, December 14, 2001

By Mike Benbow

Herald Writer

Here’s an early Christmas present: Gas prices have dropped dramatically since last year’s holiday.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Washington has fallen to $1.24, about 36 cents less than a year ago, AAA Washington announced Friday.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that most of the rest of the country — and even the rest of Washington — is paying substantially less than we are.

The average price for a gallon of gas in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area is $1.35, according to AAA. That compares to a national average of $1.10. In Yakima, the average is $1.25, in Olympia, it’s $1.23 and in Bellingham, it’s $1.21.

Prices around the country have dropped significantly as demand for gasoline has slumped following the terrorist attacks. AAA estimates that many people will stay close to home for the holidays; holiday travel is expected to drop by 6 percent in comparison to last year.

There still will be a lot of people on the roads this year. AAA estimates that 53.7 million Americans will travel during the holidays, with 79 percent going by motor vehicle.

The association recommends travelers: