AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin-area gas prices have jumped above the $2/gallon mark for the first time in 43 weeks, according to the latest AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in the Austin area is $2.07 this week, an increase of 10 cents from last week and 18 cents cheaper than this time a year ago.
Across the state, drivers are paying an average of $2.10 a gallon, up 11 cents from last week and down 17 cents from a year ago. It's the fifth-lowest average in the country according to AAA.
Drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $2.36, while drivers in the Sherman-Denison area are paying the least at $1.96 per gallon.
Nationwide, drivers are paying an average of $2.36 a gallon, which is up seven cents this week and 21 cents cheaper than a year ago.
The Lone Star state gas price average broke a 301-day streak below $2 a gallon over the weekend - the longest streak since 2005 when the state average hit $2 a gallon for the first time.
Analysts say higher crude oil prices are primarily behind the rise in pump prices, although demand for retail gasoline remains below levels seen at this same time last year primarily due to COVID-19’s impact on travel and daily commutes.
"Gasoline has been on the rise for the last few weeks due to higher crude oil prices," said AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster. "However, demand for gasoline remains lower than this time last year, which could result in lower gas prices in the weeks ahead as winter sets in across the country."