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

    HOUSTON--April 12, 2002--Gas prices have risen for six consecutive weeks, 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 area that saw the biggest increase last week saw the smallest increase this week. However, Corpus Christi still has the most expensive gasoline at $1.386 a gallon for regular self-serve, up 1.9 cents this week. Last week, it rose an average of 6.6 cents. San Antonio has the cheapest gasoline at $1.307 a gallon, up 2.6 cents.
    "Due to pledges of gas production by Saudi Arabia and other members of OPEC, the crisis in the Middle East is not wholly responsible for the increases at the pumps at this time," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "The current gas spikes come as seasonal demand in the United States is starting to rise."

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

Area                  Regular   Change from last week   Record Price
----                  ------    ---------------------   ------------
Austin - San Marcos   $1.320          +4.1 cents      $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi        $1.386          +1.9 cents      $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas                $1.375          +3.5 cents      $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth             $1.372          +3.4 cents      $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston               $1.374          +3.2 cents      $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio           $1.307          +2.6 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.