Fact file Pinched at the pump?

The nationwide average cost of unleaded regular rose to $1.75 a gallon in March 2004. How does that compare with U.S. gas prices during the past 85 years? Year Cost at the time Cost in 2004 dollars 1919* $0.25 $2.75 1929* $0.21 $2.34 1939* $0.19 $2.52 1949* $0.27 $2.10 1959* $0.31 $1.96 1969* $0.35 $1.77 1979* $0.84 $2.21 1989** $1.02 $1.48 1999** $1.17 $1.27

Source: U.S. Department of Energy prices (adjusted for inflation)
*1919-1979 prices are for leaded regular.
**Prices from 1989 to the present are for unleaded regular