AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; No Price Relief

HOUSTON--May 1, 20044, 2004--Gasoline prices skyrocketed to a new record high, according to AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.

The national average for gasoline is $1.950, 9.3 cents higher than last week's average, and more than 45 cents higher than last year's average. The Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve jumped 8.7 cents to $1.817 a gallon.

The most affordable gasoline on this week's list can be found in Corpus Christi at $1.764 a gallon, up 8.0 cents. Corpus Christi also had the cheapest gas last year at an average of $1.257 a gallon. San Antonio posted the biggest gain this week of 9.2 cents to an average of $1.799 a gallon. Dallas tops the list at an average of $1.822 a gallon -- up 8.9 cents a gallon compared to last week.

"With crude oil prices closing at more than $40 a barrel this week and demand for motor fuel at an all-time high, it appears that there is no price relief in sight for motorists," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Texans are currently paying 43 cents more today for a gallon of gas, than we were this time last year."

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., May 14, 2004:

                               Weekly            New            Year
Area               Current     Change        Record Price    Ago Price
-----              -------   ----------    ----------------  ---------
National           $1.950    +9.3 cents    $1.950 (5/13/04)    $1.496

State              $1.817    +8.7 cents    $1.817 (5/13/04)    $1.384

Austin-San Marcos  $1.801    +8.9 cents    $1.801 (5/13/04)    $1.321

Beaumont           $1.786    +7.8 cents    $1.786 (5/13/04)    $1.363
  
Corpus Christi     $1.764    +8.0 cents    $1.764 (5/13/04)    $1.257

Dallas             $1.822    +8.9 cents    $1.822 (5/13/04)    $1.418

Fort Worth         $1.815    +8.7 cents    $1.815 (5/13/04)    $1.398

Galveston -        $1.785    +7.6 cents    $1.785 (5/13/04)    $1.399
Texas City

Houston            $1.804    +9.1 cents    $1.804 (5/13/04)    $1.379

San Antonio        $1.799    +9.2 cents    $1.799 (5/13/04)    $1.324

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.