MIAMI -- The national average price of gasoline fell in January to a low of $2.03 per gallon, but most Americans believe gas prices start to be cheap between $1.50 and $2.00 per gallon, according to the just-published 2015 Gas Price Omnibus Report by AAA.
The report said:
- 4% of Americans believe gas is cheap at $3.00 per gallon.
- 17% of Americans believe gas is cheap at $2.50 per gallon.
- 43% of Americans believe gas is cheap at $2.00 per gallon.
- 58% of Americans believe gas is cheap at $1.50 per gallon.
- 99% of Americans believe gas is cheap at $1.00 per gallon.
Public attitudes towards gas prices have changed significantly as the cost of gas decreased in recent years. The results indicate that Americans may have a lower tolerance for high gas prices now that they are paying much less at the pumps than in previous years:
- In March 2013, half of Americans thought gas was too high at $3.44 per gallon. (The national average was $3.64 per gallon at the time.)
- In March 2014, half of Americans thought gas was too high at $3.30 per gallon. (The national average was $3.49 per gallon at the time.)
- In April 2015, half of Americans thought gas was too high at $3.00 per gallon. (The national average was $2.39 per gallon at the time.)
Miami-based motoring and travel organization AAA’s report presents the findings of a telephone survey in mid-April of 1,007 adults, 504 men and 503 women, 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States (506 interviews were from a landline sample and 501 interviews from a cellphone sample).
Click here to view the full 2015 Gas Price Omnibus Report, with a more detailed breakdown of the findings.
[Editor's Note: Convenience-store or gas-station retailers are experts on empty, and making it full. Where do you land on the question, "Is the glass half full or half empty?" I don't know the answer, but if customers use their rewards card, they can save three cents on filling it up all the way. And if they come into the store and buy a travel mug, they can fill it for half price. Meanwhile, enjoy these "half full, half empty" quotes.]
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