AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Pump Prices Drift Lower

HOUSTON--March 19, 2004--Pump prices in Texas drifted slightly lower this week despite crude oil prices hitting a 13-year high, according to AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.

Currently, the Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $1.605 -- a tenth of a penny lower than last week's average. San Antonio motorists are paying the least, $1.58 a gallon, down less than a penny. The city that topped the list with the most expensive fuel showed the biggest decrease this week. Corpus Christi dropped more than two cents a gallon to an average of $1.60. Dallas tops the list again at $1.62 a gallon, up less than a penny compared to last week.

"Four of the Texas cities that set new record highs last week, posted price decreases at the gas pumps this week," said Rose Rougeau of AAA Texas. "Whether this downward movement will continue in the coming weeks remain uncertain -- especially with the price of crude oil selling at $38.18 a barrel, the highest level since 1990."

AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for automobile trips.

Average Daily Prices as of 12:01 AM, March 19, 2004:

                                       Previous
Area            Current   Change     Record Price       New Record
----            -------   ------     ------------       ----------
Austin-
San Marcos      $1.588  - 0.9 cent  $1.580 (3/19/03)  $1.598 (3/9/04)

Beaumont        $1.590  - 0.4 cent  $1.609 (3/18/03)  $1.609 (3/9/04)

Corpus Christi  $1.600  - 2.3 cents $1.590 (2/20/03)  $1.625 (3/6/04)

Dallas          $1.624  + 0.7 cent  $1.666 (5/12/01)

Fort Worth      $1.605  - 0.1 cent  $1.660 (5/22/01)

Galveston -     $1.599  + 0.5 cent  $1.653 (5/16/01)
Texas City

Houston         $1.598  + 0.3 cent  $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio     $1.581  - 0.7 cent  $1.582 (3/18/03)  $1.588 (3/12/04)

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, insurance products and services, 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.