The nationwide average price of self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline is up an average of 1.4 cents since mid- June, from $1.503 to $1.517 per gallon.

"The now-routine shortfall in domestic gasoline production during summer, which must be offset by imports, is keeping gasoline prices at their highest summer levels since 2000," said Dawn Duffy, AAA spokesperson.

In addition, this increase reflects the gradually increasing cost of crude oil (currently trading at $31 per barrel), continuing unrest in Iraq and Hurricane Claudette's temporary disruption of some refining and petroleum shipping in the Gulf of Mexico.

Reports for July 15, 2003, reflect the following average prices per gallon for self-serve, regular unleaded gas:

                                  Current        Month Ago     Year Ago
  National                          $1.52           $1.50         $1.39
  Iowa                              $1.47           $1.49         $1.36
  Cedar Rapids                      $1.44           $1.50         $1.32
  Davenport/Moline/Rock Island      $1.49           $1.51         $1.35
  Des Moines                        $1.50           $1.48         $1.35
  Sioux City                        $1.44           $1.48         $1.36
  Waterloo/Cedar Falls              $1.44           $1.46         $1.35

AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based upon data from the Oil Price Information Service, the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing statistics.

AAA offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is part of The Auto Club Group, which has 4.1 million members in eight Midwest states.

Source: AAA Minnesota/Iowa