Gas Prices Move Upward While Travel Plans Shift Into High Gear
25 May 2000
Gas Prices Move Upward While Travel Plans Shift Into High Gear
HOUSTON--May 24, 2000--Despite higher gas prices, a record number of Americans plan to travel this Memorial Day holiday -- 34.4 million people, up 3 percent over last year, according to AAA. "A strong vibrant economy coupled with low unemployment have consumer confidence high," says Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "People are looking forward to traveling this Memorial Day holiday and during the summer, despite paying slightly higher gas prices, then the previous year."AAA Texas pre-holiday Fuel Gauge Report shows the current Texas statewide average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded is $1.45, compared to a $1.07 a year ago. The national average is a $1.52, that is an increase of more than 35 cents since last year when the price of gasoline was a $1.15 nationwide.
Rougeau says, "An increased demand for gasoline with the onset of the summer driving season as well as a federal regulation that requires the sale of a cleaner-burning type of reformulated gasoline in areas that do not meet federal air quality standards have helped drive fuel prices up. In Texas, these areas include Houston and Dallas."
AAA and AAA Texas commission their Fuel Gauge Reports as a service to motorists and the media. The current reports are based on data gathered by the Oil Price Information Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.
AAA Texas has been serving Texans since 1905. Today, AAA Texas offers its members a full service travel agency, auto-related and financial services, as well as public safety programs and legislative advocacy.
Note: Attached is May 23, 2000 average price information for 17 Texas cities.
AAA TEXAS FUEL GAUGE REPORT
AVERAGE PRICE OF SELF-SERVE REGULAR UNLEADED GASOLINE
IN SELECTED TEXAS CITIES
City ST May '99 May 23, May 16, May 11,
2000 2000 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------
Abilene TX 1.067 1.430 1.399 1.379
Amarillo TX 1.092 1.496 1.425 1.397
Austin TX 1.049 1.420 1.412 1.387
Beaumont TX 1.044 1.403 1.400 1.327
Brownsville TX 1.066 1.437 1.419 1.325
Corpus Christi TX 1.017 1.388 1.396 1.379
Dallas TX 1.081 1.482 1.467 1.443
El Paso TX 1.142 1.452 1.434 1.365
Fort Worth TX 1.068 1.461 1.446 1.409
Houston TX 1.069 1.486 1.476 1.445
Laredo TX 1.050 1.475 1.436 1.397
Longview TX 1.062 1.474 1.439 1.343
Lubbock TX 1.094 1.499 1.446 1.397
Midland TX N/A 1.476 N/A N/A
Odessa TX N/A 1.460 N/A N/A
San Antonio TX 1.027 1.394 1.382 1.327
Waco TX 1.031 1.410 1.396 1.330
Avg 1.065 1.449 1.425 1.377
(May 23, 2000) (May '99)
National Average Price $1.52 $1.15 up 37 cents
Survey Commissioned by AAA-Texas on May 23, 2000
