AAA Texas: Statewide Gas Price Average Moves Three Cents Lower

(Coppell, TX) – The statewide gas price average in Texas is now $1.97 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. That price is three cents less than last week and 13 cents less per gallon than last year. Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in the Lone Star State, drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $2.03 per gallon while drivers in Corpus Christi are paying the least at $1.92 per gallon. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.18 which is the same as last week and 14 cents less per gallon than last year.

The national average price for unleaded gasoline is expected to keep moving lower as we head into fall barring any unexpected disruptions in supply or spikes in the price of crude oil. Pump prices typically decline during this time of year due to lower driving demand after the busy summer driving season has concluded and the changeover from summer-blend to a cheaper-to-produce winter-blend gasoline, which takes place in many parts of the country by mid-September.

The difference between summer- and winter-blend gasoline involves the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of the fuel. RVP is a measure of how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature. The more volatile a gasoline (higher RVP), the easier it evaporates. Winter-blend fuel has a higher RVP because the fuel must be able to evaporate at low temperatures for the engine to operate properly, especially when the engine is cold. If the RVP is too low on a frigid day, the vehicle will be hard to start and once started, will run rough.

“Drivers continue to benefit from an oversupplied market,” said AAA Texas/New Mexico Representative Doug Shupe. “It is possible prices at the pump may stay in the $2.00 per gallon range if the price of crude oil remains relatively low.”

To help members and non-members identify quality auto repair shops that can assist in the maintenance and repair of their vehicles, AAA offers the Approved Auto Repair program as a free public service. AAA-approved repair facilities meet and maintain high professional standards for training, equipment, cleanliness and customer service. Motorists can look for the Approved Auto Repair sign, at local auto repair facilities, or search for a nearby AAA-approved shop online at AAA.com/Repair. AAA Texas branch offices throughout the state can be found by visiting www.AAA.com. Follow AAA Texas on Twitter: @AAATexas and Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAATexas.

Find additional news from AAA Texas in our online newsroom at http://tx-aaa.iprsoftware.com/.