I “think” the difference is that the 1.4 bil you referred to is only highway miles in the announcement, while 4.5 bil is the total difference involving all miles driven, including non-highways (which I’m guessing means “non-limited access highways). But without further digging I don’t have time for, I think AFP is OK on this.

In fact, on no planet does 3.5 x $1.74 even equal anything that begins with a 5. The answer is $6.09.

On what planet are you trying to claim a reporter gets a pass because he, she or they say that gas is over $4 (not by much — $4.08 per this link, after subtracting “about 40 cents” from the nationwide premium average of $4.48), when the math says it would be $6.09?

You need to familiarize/refamiliarize yourself with what is and isn’t immaterial (go to Wallstreet Words version of meaning).

You missed the biggest error. The DOT reported that Americans drove 1.4 billion miles less in April 2008 than in April 2007. AFP somehow goosed that up to 4.5 billion.

Here’s the link:
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot8408.htm

The 3.5 could be a typo. Two times $1.74 per gallon gas equals $3.48 a gallon. So the price range could be about 2.5 times higher, somewhere around $4.62. The story you criticize actually says that U.S. gasoline prices are “averaging more than four dollars per gallon.” You left out the “more than” detail, a significant omission for somebody who claims to be a media critic demanding total accuracy. By the way, AFP says gasoline — and that would seem to take teh full gamut of regular, plus, and premium brands. You say, “On what planet does $4 divided by $1.74 equal 3.5?” The answer is no planet. But your post is not precise because AFP did not say gas in the U.S. was $4. AFP said the average price is more than $4. So you seem to have committed the sin of inaccuracy. Just like Dan Quayle, or Obama. Should I ship you a bag filled with 57 pounds of pomme de terres (sp)?