AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices Plateau at Popular Driving Destinations

    HOUSTON--April 19, 2002--Gas prices showed a decrease in some cities for the first time in two months, 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.
    San Antonio has the least expensive fuel at $1.303, down 0.4 cents since last week. The Austin-San Marcos area and Corpus Christi also showed a price decrease. Austin-San Marcos is $1.315 for a gallon of regular self-serve, down 0.5 cents. Corpus Christi is at $1.369, down 1.7 cents. Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston showed very slight increases compared to a week ago.
    "Due to the recent increases in gas prices, these slight drops may go unnoticed by motorists," said Rose Rougeau, AAA Texas spokesperson. "Increasing demand coupled with international uncertainty may help push fuel prices higher as the summer driving season nears."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., April 19, 2002:

Area              Regular    Change from last week    Record Price
----              -------    ---------------------    ------------
Austin -
 San Marcos        $1.315         -0.5 cents         $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi     $1.369         -1.7 cents         $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas             $1.380         +0.5 cents         $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth          $1.375         +0.3 cents         $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston            $1.380         +0.6 cents         $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio        $1.303         -0.4 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.