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

    HOUSTON--March 29, 2002--Gasoline prices continued their upward trend, 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 Austin-San Marcos area has the least expensive gasoline at $1.251 a gallon for regular self-serve, up 4.7 cents from last week. Motorists in Corpus Christi saw the biggest increase, paying an average of $1.301, up 7.2 cents. In Dallas, the average is $1.301, up 3.6 cents. In Fort Worth, it's $1.299 a gallon, up 4.2 cents. Houston has an average of $1.301, up 4.7 cents. San Antonio motorists are paying an average of $1.273, up 3.5 cents.
    "Despite the increases, the good news for motorists is that the average prices in these Texas cities are below last year's prices," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "It's uncertain at this time how high fuel prices will rise. It may depend on whether more Americans choose to go on driving vacations this summer which could put upward pressure on gas prices."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., March 29, 2002:

Area                  Regular     Change from          Record Price
                                   last week
----                  -------     -----------          ------------

Austin - San Marcos   $1.251       +4.7 cents        $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi        $1.301       +7.2 cents        $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas                $1.301       +3.6 cents        $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth             $1.299       +4.2 cents        $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston               $1.301       +4.7 cents        $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio           $1.273       +3.5 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.