AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch - Pump Prices Soar

HOUSTON--Aug. 22, 2003--Motorists in Texas and the rest of the U.S. saw pump prices soar this week due to a number of unrelated problems, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by AAA Texas. 
The statewide average price for a gallon of regular self-serve is $1.53 - an increase of four cents in a week. A year ago, a gallon of gas in Texas averaged $1.32. Corpus Christi and San Antonio share the spotlight for the least expensive fuel -- both average $1.49 a gallon. Motorists in Dallas and Houston are paying the most for a gallon of gasoline - an average of $1.54. In Dallas, gas went up nearly a nickel in only a week, while Houstonians saw the sharpest increase in Texas of nearly six cents a gallon. 

"Throughout the U.S. several unrelated incidents affecting gasoline supplies and distribution have converged to push fuel prices upward," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "These include refinery problems and a pipeline break in Arizona, combined with tight supplies and high demand." 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips. 


Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Aug. 22, 2003:

Area                     Regular       Change         Record Price
----                     -------     ----------      ----------------
Austin-San Marcos        $1.504      +5.2 cents      $1.580 (3/19/03)

Corpus Christi           $1.485      +2.5 cents      $1.590 (2/20/03)

Dallas                   $1.541      +4.5 cents      $1.666 (5/12/01)

Fort Worth               $1.528      +3.9 cents      $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                  $1.535      +5.5 cents      $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio              $1.489      +4.7 cents      $1.582 (3/18/03)