AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel across the Austin metro dropped five cents this week, according to AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.
Drivers in Austin are paying an average of $1.78 a gallon this week, five cents cheaper than last week and 46 cents cheaper than a year ago. Statewide prices are seeing a similar drop, down five cents this week to $1.79 a gallon - a five-month low, and the second-lowest of any state according to AAA.
Drivers in Odessa are paying the most on average at $2.02, while drivers in Sherman-Denison are paying the least at $1.62 per gallon - which is also the lowest average in the entire country, according to AAA's survey.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.12, which is three cents less when compared to this day last week and 49 cents less than the price per gallon at this same time last year.
Analysts say COVID-19 concerns continue to keep gasoline demand levels well below last year, putting downward pressure on pump prices in addition to crude oil prices falling.
"The statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded has fallen to its lowest level in more than five months," said AAA Texas' Daniel Armbruster. "Road trips will be the main mode of travel this fall, but thus far demand for gasoline remains well below 2019 levels due to COVID-19 concerns."