AAA TEXAS: Weekend Gas Watch

HOUSTON--Nov. 1, 2002--For the first time in five weeks, the statewide average price for regular self-serve fuel declined, 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 Texas average is $1.41 a gallon -- a penny less than last week. The Austin-San Marcos area has the least expensive fuel at $1.36 a gallon -- down nearly two cents since a week ago. Corpus Christi is next at nearly $1.37 a gallon -- down slightly more than a penny. Dallas has the most expensive fuel, averaging $1.41 a gallon, down less than a cent compared to a week ago.

"Motorists may start to see retail gas prices level out over the next few weeks as long as there is no significant interruption in crude oil deliveries and pricing," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Prices typically go up near holidays, but it is too soon to tell what will happen over the Thanksgiving weekend."

    Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Nov. 1, 2002:

                                     Change from
Area                    Regular       last week       Record Price
----                    -------      -----------      ------------

Austin - San Marcos     $1.361       -1.8 cents     $1.538 (5/15/01)

Corpus Christi          $1.365       -1.3 cents     $1.505 (5/8/01)

Dallas                  $1.409       -0.8 cent      $1.666 (5/12/01)

Ft. Worth               $1.405       -0.6 cent      $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                 $1.408       -1.0 cent      $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio             $1.370       -0.8 cent      $1.498 (5/9/01)

AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million 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.