AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Gasoline Prices Continue Upward Trend

HOUSTON--Jan. 2, 20043, 2004--The statewide average price for gasoline continued its upward trend this week, according to AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.

Currently, the Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $1.53 a gallon -- two cents more than last week's average and about thirteen cents more than last month's average of $1.40 a gallon. Amarillo has the least expensive fuel this week at $1.47 -- up less than a penny since last week. Motorists in Corpus Christi are paying $1.53 an average -- up nearly five cents a gallon. Dallas edged out Corpus Christi to top the list with the most expensive gasoline at $1.54 an average -- up slightly more than two pennies.

"The higher price of crude oil combined with low supplies of crude have pushed pump prices to some of their highest levels ever for this time of year," said Rose Rougeau of AAA Texas. "If crude oil prices drop closer to $30 a barrel, it would certainly remove some of the pressure on gasoline prices, which would be welcome news for consumers this winter."

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

Average Daily Prices as of 12:01 A.M., Jan. 23, 2004:

Area                     Current     Change         Record Price
--------------------    ---------  ------------    -----------------

Amarillo                  $1.474   + 0.4 cent       $1.683(6/1/01)

Austin-San Marcos         $1.512   + 0.8 cent       $1.580(3/19/03)

Beaumont                  $1.513   + 1.8 cents      $1.609(3/18/03)

Corpus Christi            $1.533   + 4.5 cents      $1.590(2/20/03)

Dallas                    $1.536   + 2.3 cents      $1.666(5/12/01)

Fort Worth                $1.518   + 1.3 cents      $1.660(5/22/01)

Galveston -               $1.520   + 1.5 cents      $1.653(5/16/01)
Texas City

Houston                   $1.519   + 2.0 cents      $1.639(5/12/01)

San Antonio               $1.502   + 0.8 cent       $1.582(3/18/03)

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