AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices On the Rise at Popular Driving Destinations

    HOUSTON--March 15, 2002--Texas fuel prices saw double-digit increases compared to 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.
    The average price in Austin-San Marcos is $1.152, up 8.7 cents from last week. Motorists in Corpus Christi are shelling out an average of $1.192, up 7.7 cents, while Dallas drivers are paying an average of $1.191, up 10.0 cents. Houston has an average of $1.179, up 10.2 cents. San Antonio motorists saw the biggest increase with an average of $1.176, up 11.4 cents.
    "We have seen average increases of nearly 10 cents for a gallon of gasoline," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "The run-up in fuel prices appears to have been triggered by the announcement that the economy is recovering and the recession is over as well as the annual changeover from a winter gasoline formulation to a summer formulation."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., March 15, 2002:

Area                 Regular   Change from last week    Record Price
----                 -------   ---------------------    ------------
Austin - San Marcos  $1.152        +8.7 cents         $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi       $1.192        +7.7 cents         $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas               $1.191       +10.0 cents         $1.666 (5/12/01)

Houston              $1.179       +10.2 cents         $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio          $1.176       +11.4 cents         $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