Gas Price Average In Texas Drops Two Cents This Week

Filling up at the pump in the Lone Star State will cost drivers an average of $3.07 a gallon, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. That price is two cents less than last week and 30 cents less than one year ago. The statewide is 20 cents less than the national average of $3.27 a gallon. Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in El Paso are paying the most at $3.13 and drivers in Amarillo are paying the least at $2.98.

Recent history has seen pump prices charge higher to start the year, however cold temperatures across much of the country have led to weak demand and kept prices flat to begin 2014. Despite the quiet start to the year, AAA analysts expect the national average to move higher in the coming weeks and months due to the same seasonal factors that have historically led to rising prices during the first quarter of the year.

As temperatures warm up, people travel more and the demand for fuel increases. Also, scheduled refinery maintenance which often begins in February as well as the mandated switchover to summer-blend gasoline before May, can result in sharp temporary price increases for areas supplied by affected facilities.

“It’s around this time of year when we start reminding drivers about ways they can maximize their fuel efficiency,” said AAA Texas/New Mexico Representative Doug Shupe. “To get the most mileage from their dollars, drivers should keep vehicles maintained according to manufacturer recommendations, keep vehicle loads light, avoid aggressive driving and speeding, and combine errands into fewer trips.”

To help members and non-members identify quality auto repair shops that can assist in the maintenance and repair of their vehicles during the winter, 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 can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com. Follow AAA Texas on Twitter: @AAATexas and Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAATexas.

Area Current 02/06/14 1/30/14 Difference Year Ago 02/06/13 Difference Record High Date Record High Price National $3.27 $3.27 0.00 $3.55 -0.28 07/17/08 $4.11 State $3.07 $3.09 -0.02 $3.37 -0.30 07/17/08 $3.98 Amarillo $2.98 $2.97 +0.01 $3.30 -0.32 07/16/08 $3.98 Austin-San Marcos $3.07 $3.08 -0.01 $3.34 -0.27 07/17/08 $3.97 Beaumont $3.05 $3.06 -0.01 $3.30 -0.25 07/16/08 $4.00 Corpus Christi $3.02 $3.02 0.00 $3.34 -0.32 07/15/08 $3.96 Dallas $3.08 $3.10 -0.02 $3.41 -0.33 07/16/08 $3.98 El Paso $3.13 $3.14 -0.01 $3.13 0.00 07/17/08 $3.97 Ft.Worth $3.08 $3.10 -0.02 $3.41 -0.33 07/16/08 $3.97 Galveston $3.06 $3.07 -0.01 $3.39 -0.33 07/14/08 $3.97 Houston $3.07 $3.08 -0.01 $3.38 -0.31 07/17/08 $3.96 San Antonio $3.05 $3.06 -0.01 $3.33 -0.28 07/16/08 $3.96 Texarkana $3.11 $3.12 -0.01 $3.39 -0.28 07/17/08 $3.98

SOURCE: AAA of Texas

———