Then and Now: The fuel crisis

Many are comparing the long lines and closed pumps we are seeing to the oil crises of the early and late 1970s. Here’s how 2008 measures up to 1973 and 1981.

PRESIDENT

Now: George W. Bush (R)

Then: 1973 — Richard Nixon (R), 1981 — Jimmy Carter (D)

PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL

Now: 28 percent

Then: 1973 — 24 percent, 1981 — 34 percent

NATIONAL AVERAGE RETAIL GAS PRICE

Now: $3.72 per gallon

Then: 1973 — $1.81 per gallon [39 cents per gallon adjusted for 2007 Consumer Price Index], 1981 — $3.50 per gallon [$1.41 per gallon adjusted for 2008 Consumer Price Index]

HISTORIC GAS PRICES

Now: Gas prices have doubled in a little more than three years. They are up in price by slightly more than one-third in the past year. Gas is costly and, except for shortages in the southeastern U.S., plentiful.

Then: Gas prices tripled during the decade, rising by almost 50 percent from 1973 to 1975, and by 80 percent in 1979 and 1980. Nationwide shortages forced restrictions on sales.

IRAN

Now: Tension between the United States and Iran over nuclear programs and U.S. involvement in Iraq has contributed to higher oil prices.

Then: 1973 — Arab members of OPEC refused to ship oil to allies of Israel following the Yom Kippur War in October.

1979 — Iranian Revolution overthrew a U.S. ally, led to a long hostage crisis and sent the cost of oil skyrocketing, with gas prices peaking in 1981.

AVERAGE GAS MILEAGE

Now: 27.5 miles per gallon

Then: 22 miles per gallon (only 1981 figures available)

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Gallup Poll, PollingReport.com, American Petroleum Institute, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

— Staff writer Michael E. Kanell contributed to this report.