AAA Texas: Statewide Gas Price Average Drops 16 Cents Before Busy Holiday Travel Period

Year-End holiday travelers will get another big break at the gas pumps as they fill up and drive to their destinations this week. According to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in the Lone Star State is now $2.15. That’s 16 cents less than last week and 90 cents less than one year ago. Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in Corpus Christi are paying the most at $2.27 per gallon while drivers in Fort Worth are paying the least at $1.98 per gallon. The average in Texas is 23 cents less than the national average of $2.38 per gallon.

AAA Texas forecasts 8.1 million Texans will travel 50 miles or more away from home from today through Sunday, January 4, which is 4.1 percent more than last year. That’s the highest growth rate for the Year-End holiday travel period since 2009 and the highest travel volume for the holiday period on record.

Comparatively low prices for retail gasoline are helping consumers to save more than $450 million per day compared to the highs earlier this year, which likely is having a positive effect on holiday shopping and travel. Barring any disruptions in domestic production or unexpected spikes in the global price of crude, consumers could see prices drop even lower to ring in the New Year.

“It costs almost 13 dollars less today to fill up a 14-gallon size fuel tank compared to one year ago,” said AAA Texas/New Mexico Representative Doug Shupe. “With the increased traffic on the roadways for the holiday season, we remind drivers to buckle up, obey the speed limits and never drive distracted or after they have been drinking alcohol.”

To help members and non-members identify quality auto repair shops that can assist in the maintenance and repair of their vehicles, AAA offers the Approved Auto Repair program as a free public service. AAA-approved repair facilities meet and maintain high professional standards for training, equipment, cleanliness and customer service. Motorists can look for the Approved Auto Repair sign at local auto repair facilities, or search for a nearby AAA-approved shop online at AAA.com/Repair. AAA Texas branch offices throughout the state can be found by visiting www.AAA.com. Follow AAA Texas on Twitter: @AAATexas and Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAATexas.

Area Current 12/23/14 12/18/14 Difference Year Ago 12/23/13 Difference Record High Date Record High Price National $2.38 $2.53 -0.15 $3.25 -0.87 07/17/08 $4.11 State $2.15 $2.31 -0.16 $3.05 -0.90 07/17/08 $3.98 Amarillo $1.99 $2.18 -0.19 $2.89 -0.90 07/16/08 $3.98 Austin-San Marcos $2.20 $2.35 -0.15 $3.09 -0.89 07/17/08 $3.97 Beaumont $2.25 $2.37 -0.12 $3.01 -0.76 07/16/08 $4.00 Corpus Christi $2.27 $2.37 -0.10 $3.02 -0.75 07/15/08 $3.96 Dallas $1.99 $2.22 -0.23 $3.05 -1.06 07/16/08 $3.98 El Paso $2.10 $2.28 -0.18 $2.98 -0.88 07/17/08 $3.97 Ft. Worth $1.98 $2.22 -0.24 $3.04 -1.06 07/16/08 $3.97 Galveston $2.20 $2.32 -0.12 $3.06 -0.86 07/14/08 $3.97 Houston $2.21 $2.35 -0.14 $3.09 -0.88 07/17/08 $3.96 San Antonio $2.15 $2.30 -0.15 $3.04 -0.89 07/16/08 $3.96 Texarkana $2.12 $2.29 -0.17 $3.10 -0.98 07/17/08 $3.98

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