Bargain Prices Still Exist at the Pump; AAA Texas Monthly Fuel Gauge Report

    HOUSTON--Jan. 16, 2002--While gasoline prices are beginning to trend upward, motorists will still find bargain prices at the pumps.
    The statewide average price for regular self-serve is $1.07 a gallon, four pennies more than last month. A year ago, Texans were paying $1.38 a gallon -- 31 cents more.
    The nationwide average price of self-serve regular gasoline is $1.13 a gallon. This compares to an average price of $1.47 -- a year ago.
    "Motorists are likely to see a wide disparity in fuel prices at service stations until a more definite economic trend emerges," says Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Despite the slight increases from a month ago, we are still paying significantly less compared to last year."
    According to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report, the most expensive gas can be purchased in Hawaii at $1.67 a gallon and the least expensive can be found in Georgia at $1.01.
    AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.
    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. AAA Texas offers its members a full service travel agency, auto-related and financial services, as well as public safety programs and legislative advocacy.

                  AAA Texas Monthly Fuel Gauge Report
           (Average price for a gallon of regular self-serve
                     in 17 selected Texas cities)

Metro           State    Jan. `02     Jan. `01    Jan. '01 -  Dec. `01
                                                  Jan. `02
-------------   -----    --------     --------    --------    --------
Abilene         TX         1.08         1.40      down 32       1.05
Amarillo        TX         1.08         1.37      down 29       1.01
Austin          TX         1.06         1.32      down 26       1.01
Beaumont        TX         1.08         1.41      down 33       1.01
Brownsville     TX         1.04         1.38      down 34       1.00
Corpus Christi  TX         1.08         1.33      down 25       1.00
Dallas          TX         1.07         1.40      down 33       1.04
El Paso         TX         1.10         1.36      down 26       1.09
Fort Worth      TX         1.07         1.40      down 33       1.05
Houston         TX         1.04         1.36      down 32       1.01
Laredo          TX         1.12         1.47      down 35       1.13
Longview        TX         1.09         1.37      down 28       1.04
Lubbock         TX         1.06         1.40      down 34       1.03
Midland         TX         1.09         1.44      down 35       1.04
Odessa          TX         1.05         1.40      down 35       1.02
San Antonio     TX         1.05         1.28      down 23       0.98
Waco            TX         1.06         1.36      down 30       1.03
Average         TX         1.07         1.38      down 31       1.03


                  (Jan. `02)            (Jan. `01)
                  ----------            ----------
National            $1.13                 $1.47            down  .34

Texas               $1.07                 $1.38            down  .31