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

    HOUSTON--March 22, 2002--Texas motorists see more increases at the pumps since 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 $1.204, up 5.2 cents from last week. Motorists in Corpus Christi are paying an average of $1.229, up 4.7 cents, while Dallas drivers are averaging $1.265, up 7.4 cents. In Fort Worth(a), it's $1.257 a gallon for regular self-serve. Houston has an average of $1.254, up 7.5 cents. San Antonio motorists are paying an average of $1.238, up 6.2 cents.
    "Motorists can anticipate more increases as we move closer to the summer, when demand for fuel increases," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "But exactly how high gas prices will go depends on a couple of factors including the overall strength of the economy and the continuing conflict in the Middle East."

	   Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., March 22, 2002:

                                  Change from
Area                 Regular       last week      Record Price
----                 -------      ------------    -------------
Austin - San Marcos  $1.204       +5.2 cents     $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi       $1.229       +4.7 cents     $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas               $1.265       +7.4 cents     $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth            $1.257           n/a        $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston              $1.254       +7.5 cents     $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio          $1.238       +6.2 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.

    (a) Note: This is the first week Fort Worth is being included in the Weekend Gas Watch.