AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Statewide Average Moves Upward

    HOUSTON--Jan. 31, 2003--Gasoline prices throughout Texas cities fluctuated slightly compared to a week ago, with movement being mostly upward, 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 statewide average for a gallon of regular self-serve fuel is $1.43 - a penny up since a week ago. San Antonio has the least expensive fuel at nearly $1.39 a gallon - about the same as last week's average. Houston and Dallas tie for the most expensive fuel averaging 1.44 a gallon. Both cities saw a penny increase since last week. Corpus Christi is the only city on the list that posted a decrease, averaging $1.39 a gallon, down three-tenths of a cent.
    "Gasoline prices are currently at their highest levels in two years," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Uncertainty over Iraq and the loss of nearly all oil production in Venezuela are major factors for the increase."

    Average prices as of 12:01 AM, January 31, 2003:

Area                          Regular   Change          Record Price
----                          -------   ------          ------------
Austin - San Marcos           $1.413    +1.3 cents    $1.538 (5/15/01)
Corpus Christi                $1.394    -0.3 cent     $1.505 (5/8/01)
Dallas                        $1.438    +1.1 cents    $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth                     $1.427    +0.7 cent     $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston                       $1.438    +1.0 cent     $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio                   $1.389    +0.2 cent     $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, LLC, an affiliate of the AAA, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance, travel agency, insurance, financial products, automotive products, 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.