The statewide gas price average in Texas is $2.91 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. That price is four cents less than on this day last week and is 47 cents less per gallon compared to this day last year. Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in El Paso metro area are paying the most on average at $3.26 per gallon while drivers in San Angelo are paying the least at $2.68 per gallon. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.31, which is five cents less when compared to this day last week and 50 cents less per gallon when compared to this day last year.
As fall approaches fuel prices are dropping. Traditionally, gas price averages begin going down in September as the switchover to the less expensive winter blend gasoline begins. 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.
“Gas price averages continue to decline across Texas,” said Daniel Armbruster, AAA Texas spokesperson. “While fluctuations remain possible, prices are expected to decrease further as the switchover to winter-blend fuel nears.”
