AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin-area gas prices held steady this week, remaining the same as last week, according to the latest data from AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in the Austin-San Marcos metro area is $3.18 this week, the same as last week. The average is 39 cents higher than this time last year.
Across the state, drivers are paying an average of $3.11 a gallon, down four cents from last week, and 29 cents higher than this time last year. Nationwide, the average rose 10 cents this week to $3.78 a gallon, which is 59 cents higher than a year ago.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in Amarillo are paying the most on average at $3.33 per gallon while drivers in San Angelo are paying the least at $2.96 per gallon.
The Texas statewide weekly gas price average has been on the decline for 15 consecutive weeks. Concerns about inflation and economic slowdown are keeping oil prices lower compared to where they were over the summer.
Analysts believe Hurricane Ian is not expected to have a significant impact on oil and gas production, which, in turn, should not drive Texas pump prices higher. However, the national average jumped this week due to higher regional prices on the West Coast and in the Midwest. These regions experienced refinery issues that range from planned maintenance to a fire.
“Hurricane Ian’s track is not expected to increase pump prices in our area due to the monster storm’s path impacting the eastern side of the Gulf,” said AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster. “Still, supply and demand volatility will keep gasoline prices fluctuating in some metro regions.”
Texas drivers are paying the nation's third-lowest average price for gas, while drivers in California are paying the nation's highest average at $6.18 a gallon.
