AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin-area drivers saw another increase at the gas pump this week, according to the latest data from AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.
Austin drivers are paying an average of $3.27 a gallon for regular unleaded, up 12 cents from last week and about 42 cents less than a year ago.
Across the state, drivers are paying an average of $3.32 a gallon, which is up 10 cents on the week and down 37 cents year over year. Nationwide, the average is at $3.64 a gallon, which is a nine cent increase on the week and 44 cents cheaper year over year.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $3.57 per gallon while drivers in Tyler are paying the least at $3.16 per gallon.
With crude oil prices rising – pump prices are also increasing around the state. OPEC+’s announcement that it will cut production by over a million barrels per day starting in about three weeks took the oil market by surprise last week. In response, crude immediately surged well above $80 a barrel. As the summer driving season is just around the corner, it is unlikely prices will decrease any time soon short of an economic slowdown.
“Crude oil prices have increased following the news of an oil production cut from OPEC+,” said AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster. “This has caused retailers to increase their prices at the pump."
Drivers in Texas are paying the eighth lowest gas price average in the country, according to AAA.