AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices Hold Steady as Christmas Holiday Approaches

HOUSTON--Dec. 1, 20039, 2003--Only a week away from the Christmas holiday and gasoline prices in many Texas cities are posting slight decreases, according to the Weekend Gas Watch by AAA Texas.

Currently, the Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $1.39 a gallon -- no change since last week. Corpus Christi continues for the fourteenth straight week to have the cheapest gas averaging $1.34 a gallon -- an increase of less than a penny. Houston and the Austin-San Marcos area both average $1.37 a gallon -- down two-tenths of a penny. The most expensive city on the list -- Dallas -- remains at $1.40 a gallon.

"Prices have remained relatively stable which is an encouraging development as travelers get ready for the holiday season," said Rose Rougeau of AAA Texas. "Unless there is an interruption in supply, prices are expected to remain near this level through the end of the month."

AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for automobile trips.

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., December 19, 2003:

Area                   Regular     Change            Record Price
----                   -------     ------            ------------
Austin-San Marcos      $1.369      - 0.2 cent        $1.580 (3/19/03)

Corpus Christi         $1.337      + 0.4 cent        $1.590 (2/20/03)

Dallas                 $1.401      - 0.2 cent        $1.666 (5/12/01)

Fort Worth             $1.389      - 0.3 cent        $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                $1.369      - 0.2 cent        $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio            $1.352      + 0.9 cent        $1.582 (3/18/03)