AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices On The Rise at Popular Driving Destinations

    HOUSTON--April 5, 2002--The price of gasoline continues to rise, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by AAA Texas. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
    The least expensive gasoline can be found in the Austin-San Marcos area, at $1.271 a gallon for regular self-serve, up 2.8 cents from last week. For the second week in a row, motorists in Corpus Christi see the biggest increase at $1.367, up 6.6 cents. In Dallas, the average is $1.340, up 3.9 cents. In Fort Worth, it's $1.338 a gallon, up 4.9 cents. Houston has an average of $1.342, up 4.1 cents. San Antonio motorists are paying an average of $1.281, up slightly less than a penny.
    "Tensions in the Middle East coupled with strong demand have helped push fuel prices upward," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "How high prices go may depend on a resolution of the Middle East crisis, but no one can accurately predict future gas prices at this time."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., April 4, 2002:

Area                Regular   Change from last week   Record Price
----                -------   ---------------------   ------------
Austin -
 San Marcos         $1.279         +2.8 cents         $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi      $1.367         +6.6 cents         $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas              $1.340         +3.9 cents         $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth           $1.338         +4.9 cents         $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston             $1.342         +4.1 cents         $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio         $1.281         +0.8 cents         $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, 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.