AAA Texas Announces Steep Decrease in Gas Prices
HOUSTON--Oct. 17, 2001--Big decreases in gasoline prices will make auto vacations more affordable and should bolster holiday spending budgets, according to AAA Texas.AAA Texas' monthly Fuel Gauge shows the statewide average price of a gallon of gasoline is $1.23, down nearly 20 cents since mid-September when the average price was $1.42 a gallon.
Nationwide, motorists are paying an average of $1.35 a gallon, a decrease of 20 cents from last month's average of $1.55. Last year's national average was $1.53 a gallon.
"The steep decline in gas prices is due to a combination of forces including reduced demand following the September 11th attacks, crude oil prices stabilizing near $22 a barrel, and October being an off-season month for travel," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas.
AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. AAA Texas offers its members a full service travel agency, auto-related and financial services, as well as public safety programs and legislative advocacy.
Note: Attached is Oct. 16, 2001 average price information for 17 Texas cities. AAA Texas Fuel Gauge Monthly Report Average Price of Self-Serve Regular Gasoline In Selected Texas Cities Metro State Oct. `01 Sept. `01 Oct. `00 ------------- ------- -------- --------- -------- Abilene TX 1.303 1.484 1.430 Amarillo TX 1.161 1.555 1.453 Austin TX 1.219 1.384 1.417 Beaumont TX 1.229 1.402 1.384 Brownsville TX 1.111 1.376 1.352 Corpus Christi TX 1.127 1.368 1.363 Dallas TX 1.313 1.427 1.469 El Paso TX 1.279 1.443 1.406 Fort Worth TX 1.307 1.429 1.443 Houston TX 1.272 1.403 1.438 Laredo TX 1.331 1.432 1.481 Longview TX 1.220 1.456 1.391 Lubbock TX 1.225 1.477 1.489 Midland TX 1.253 1.414 1.495 Odessa TX 1.207 1.400 1.418 San Antonio TX 1.143 1.365 1.377 Waco TX 1.176 1.396 1.362 Average TX 1.228 1.424 1.421 (Oct. '01) (Oct. '00) National $1.35 $1.53 down .18 Texas $1.23 $1.42 down .19