AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch

HOUSTON--Oct. 18, 2002--The statewide average price for regular self-serve fuel rose slightly higher this week compared to last, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by AAA Texas. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.

The Texas' average is $1.40 a gallon - a penny more than last week. Fort Worth and Houston tied for the biggest increase - both went up one cent a gallon. The Houston average is $1.40, while the average in Fort Worth is $1.39 a gallon. The Corpus Christi area has the least expensive gas at $1.36 a gallon. It's also the only city on the list that saw a decrease - down nearly two cents since last week.

"Motorists are seeing increases at the pumps at a time when we typically see gas prices go down due to lower demand," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Until the hostilities in the Middle East are resolved, more increases may be on the horizon."

Average prices as of 12:01 AM, October 18, 2002:

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Area                 Regular   Change from last week   Record Price

Austin - San Marcos   $1.370       + 0.1 cent         $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi        $1.360       - 1.8 cents        $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas                $1.397       + 0.9 cent         $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth             $1.393       + 1.0 cent         $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston               $1.395       + 1.0 cent         $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio           $1.373       + 0.5 cent         $1.498 (5/9/01)

AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' web site at www.aaa-texas.com.