AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Record High Gasoline Prices Creep Downward

    HOUSTON--Feb. 28, 2003--The record high gasoline prices set last week have started to creep downward, 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 price for a gallon of regular self-serve fuel is $1.59 -- unchanged since a week ago. Last year, motorists were paying $1.07 -- 52 cents less than today's average. Corpus Christi experienced the biggest decrease, down nearly three cents at $1.56 a gallon. San Antonio has the least expensive fuel -- slightly above $1.55 a gallon, down nearly a penny compared to last week. Dallas tops the list again with the most expensive fuel at $1.60 a gallon, an eighth of a cent since a week ago.
    "Retail gas prices showed signs of softening as crude oil prices reached 12-year highs just short of $40 a barrel this week," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Continuing uncertainties of war, crude oil prices and low fuel inventories may push prices back up again."
    Average prices as of 12:01 AM, Feb. 28, 2003:

       Area               Regular       Change          Record Price
       ----               -------       ------          ------------
Austin - San Marcos        $1.561     - 0.8 cent      $1.579 (2/18/03)
Corpus Christi             $1.556     - 2.9 cents     $1.590 (2/20/03)
Dallas                     $1.595     - 0.8 cent      $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth                  $1.592     - 0.4 cent      $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston                    $1.588     - 0.3 cent      $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio                $1.555     - 0.9 cent      $1.572 (2/15/03)

    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.