Higher gas prices prompt online research

WASHINGTON – Consumers are doing more research to estimate fuel costs, plan road trips and access discount information, according to the Automobile Association of America.

AAA says the high price of gas is probably what’s prompting consumers to plan and budget their trips more carefully. Visits to AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator Web site

The calculator uses current gasoline prices from AAA’s “Fuel Gauge Report” and latest highway fuel economy ratings to estimate the amount and cost of gasoline needed to complete a trip based on the make and model of your car.

At the same time, use of both http://www.AAAmaps.com and the http://www.AAA.com TripTik travel planner rose more than 20 percent from May 2005 to May 2006.

AP