AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch

HOUSTON--April 7, 2006--Gasoline prices rose sharply this week and the combination of seasonal increases and uncertainties about gas supply could continue pushing prices higher, according to AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular self serve is $2.59, which is 11 cents higher than last week and 45 cents higher than one year ago. The highest prices statewide are in Ft. Worth, which has an average of $2.67 per gallon, 15 cents more than last week. The lowest prices are in Corpus Christi, where the average of $2.49 a gallon is ten cents higher than last week.

"This is the time of year when steep price increases are common, but this year, there is added uncertainty about whether there will be sufficient gasoline supplies later in the year," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "It may be several weeks before the picture of the nation's production becomes clear, but in the meantime, motorists may experience steadily rising pump prices."

The national average for regular self-serve gasoline is $2.60 a gallon - nine cents higher than last week.

AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline in Texas.

Average Daily Prices as of 12:01 AM, April 7, 2006

Area                      4/6/06      Weekly Change       3/31/06
----                      ------      -------------       -------
National                  $2.597        +8.7 cents        $2.510
State                     $2.586       +10.9 cents        $2.477
Austin - San Marcos       $2.529        +8.9 cents        $2.440
Beaumont                  $2.569       +11.6 cents        $2.453
Corpus Christi            $2.487        +9.7 cents        $2.390
Dallas                    $2.666       +13.9 cents        $2.527
Ft. Worth                 $2.668       +15.4 cents        $2.514
Galveston - Texas City    $2.613       +11.9 cents        $2.494
Houston                   $2.617       +12.0 cents        $2.497
San Antonio               $2.488        +9.2 cents        $2.396


                                                              2005
Area                    3/24/06   3/17/06     Record High    Average
----                    -------   -------     -----------    -------
National                $2.511    $2.393    $3.057 (9/5/05)  $2.228
State                   $2.480    $2.340    $2.964 (9/4/05)  $2.139
Austin - San Marcos     $2.453    $2.319    $2.918 (9/6/05)  $2.113
Beaumont                $2.448    $2.323    $2.930 (9/4/05)  $2.121
Corpus Christi          $2.420    $2.295    $2.929 (9/3/05)  $2.121
Dallas                  $2.524    $2.373    $3.019 (9/4/05)  $2.145
Ft. Worth               $2.512    $2.368    $3.012 (9/4/05)  $2.133
Galveston - Texas City  $2.513    $2.343    $2.997 (9/4/05)  $2.125
Houston                 $2.495    $2.344    $2.971 (9/6/05)  $2.122
San Antonio             $2.392    $2.277    $2.909 (9/4/05)  $2.104