AAA TEXAS: Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices Move Higher

    HOUSTON--Oct. 25, 2002--The statewide average price for regular self-serve fuel moved 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.
    All major cities in the state saw price increases at the pumps. The Texas average is $1.42 a gallon, two pennies more than last week. Houston and Dallas top the list at an average of $1.42 a gallon. Houston also posted the biggest increase of 2-point-3 cents from the week before. Dallas posted the second biggest jump -- up exactly two cents. San Antonio, Corpus Christi and the Austin - San Marcos area all average $1.38 a gallon -- the lowest average in the Lone Star State.
    "Despite these increases, motorists may be surprised to learn Texas is doing better than Midwest states where gas has increased more than 15 cents a gallon," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Recent drops in crude oil prices could help push pump prices down."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Oct. 25, 2002:

                                      Change from
Area                      Regular      last week        Record Price
----                      -------     -----------       ------------
Austin - San Marcos        $1.379      +0.9 cent      $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi             $1.378      +1.8 cents     $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas                     $1.417      +2.0 cents     $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth                  $1.411      +1.8 cents     $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                    $1.418      +2.3 cents     $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio                $1.378      +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.