AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices Decrease as Memorial Day Approaches

    HOUSTON--May 17, 2002--Fuel prices dropped again last week, 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.
    Corpus Christi motorists saw the biggest decrease. They're paying an average of $1.310 a gallon for regular self-serve, down nearly 4 cents in a week. The Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston areas are averaging $1.37 a gallon. The least expensive gasoline can still be found in San Antonio at $1.288 a gallon, down 0.6 cent.
    "These lower gasoline prices are welcome news to motorists," said Rose Rougeau, AAA Texas spokesperson. "However, motorists may see slight increases as the holiday approaches and more people travel by car."
    Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., May 17, 2002:

                                      Change from
      Area              Regular        last week        Record Price
-------------------     -------       -----------     ----------------
Austin - San Marcos      $1.303        - 0.5 cent     $1.538 (5/15/01)
Corpus Christi           $1.310        - 3.3 cent     $1.505 (5/8/01)
Dallas                   $1.377        - 0.3 cent     $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth                $1.372        - 0.5 cent     $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston                  $1.368        - 0.5 cent     $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio              $1.288        - 0.6 cent     $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, 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.