AAA Fuel Web Sites Give Users Information on Costs, Savings.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- In an effort to provide consumers with more information on fuel costs, budgeting for fuel expenses and conserving gas, AAA maintains several Web sites devoted to fuel information and posts many fuel-saving tips and ideas on the Web.

"When fuel prices are rising to new record levels, motorists have an understandable interest in what is happening and why," said AAA president Robert L. Darbelnet. "AAA has found that the best way to help consumers make better decisions regarding their fuel consumption is to get as much of that information on the Internet as possible.

"We also find our fuel price data captures the attention of elected state and federal officials who are responsible for the creation and administration of energy policies," Darbelnet said.

AAA began posting localized, up-to-date fuel information on the Internet in 2000, and now has three Web sites devoted to fuel issues and many AAA clubs link to these sites from http://www.aaa.com. Perhaps the best known site, AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report - http://www.aaafuelgaugereport.com - has been in operation since 2000.

That site -- a natural extension of the reports AAA has issued in some form since the 1970s -- was designed to help the media and local AAA clubs track the rising or falling cost of fuel at the national, state and local levels each business day for use in news reports. It averages prices paid at more than 80,000 gas stations across the country and posts national, state and local averages for each of the major grades of gasoline. Starting this weekend the site will begin posting updated prices seven days per week.

Over time the AAA Fuel Gauge Report site also has become well known to consumers. In August of this year, when fuel prices began moving toward $3 per gallon, hits to this site increased by 231 percent over the previous month.

Launched last year, the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator - http://www.aaafuelcostcalculator.com - helps users understand and budget for the amount of fuel they are likely to use on a long-distance trip.

After entering destination and origination points, as well as information about the vehicle being driven, the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator uses prices collected for the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report to calculate the cost of fuel for the trip, the miles that will be driven and the amount of fuel that will be needed. Visits to this site typically average about 20,000 per day. However, in one day just prior to the busy Labor Day holiday weekend the site recorded more than 196,000 visits.

"This site helps users project the approximate cost of fuel as a component in a driving vacation budget. It also helps calculate the savings potential in driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle or in driving shorter distances," Darbelnet said. "Also, it is useful for those who drive long distances for business and anyone else who needs to budget for fuel costs."

In addition to information related to fuel costs, AAA provides other help to consumers wanting to economize when it comes to purchasing fuel. Many local AAA club sites - http://www.aaa.com - offer fuel-saving advice and tips for regular and vacation driving.

The AAA Exchange - http://www.aaapublicaffairs.com - includes fuel conservation information in its "On The Road" section including a brochure titled "AAA Gas Watcher's Guide" which can be downloaded and printed. The AAA credit card also assists members with savings of up to 5 percent on gasoline purchases. The card was an instant hit with members when this feature was introduced in 2003, and cardholders have saved more than $71 million on gas purchases since then. For more information, go to http://www.aaa.com.

AAA's fuel price information Web sites are based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information. AAA and OPIS collaborate on the design of AAA's fuel price Web sites and AAA purchases the data from OPIS and makes it available free on the Internet as a public service.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 48 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.