AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; More Lows at the Gas Pumps

HOUSTON--Oct. 3, 2003--Gasoline prices declined throughout the state for the fifth straight week, according to the Weekend Gas Watch by AAA Texas.

The Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $1.44 -- four cents less than last week's average, and eight cents more than last year's average of $1.36. Corpus Christi continues to show the biggest decline for the fourth straight week -- a seven cents drop -- the least expensive on the list at $1.32 a gallon. Dallas tops the list at $1.47 -- down about three cents compared to a week ago.

"Retail gas prices continue to fall despite last week's surprise move by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut production," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "It's likely that gas prices will continue to move lower because the recent high prices were mainly due to domestic gasoline refining and distribution problems -- not crude oil prices."

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

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., October 3, 2003:

Area                       Regular    Change         Record Price
----                       -------    ------         ------------
Austin-San Marcos          $1.399     - 4.7 cents    $1.580 (3/19/03)

Corpus Christi             $1.319     - 7.0 cents    $1.590 (2/20/03)

Dallas                     $1.471     - 3.4 cents    $1.666 (5/12/01)

Fort Worth                 $1.448     - 4.3 cents    $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                    $1.441     - 4.0 cents    $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio                $1.380     - 3.4 cents    $1.582 (3/18/03)