AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin-area drivers are saving roughly a dime per gallon at the gas pump, according to the latest AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.
As of Sept. 28, drivers in the Austin-San Marcos metro area are paying an average of $3.39 per gallon for regular unleaded. That's down 10 cents from last week and 23 cents higher than a year ago.
The decline is more muted at the state level, where Texas drivers are paying an average of $3.38 per gallon this week - a three cent drop from last week. The average is 27 cents higher year over year.
Nationwide, drivers are paying an average of $3.83 a gallon, down four cents on the week and up seven cents from this time last year.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $3.71 per gallon while drivers in the Abilene area are paying the least at $3.24 per gallon.
Analysts say despite the averages trending lower, most drivers probably won’t notice much savings at the pump. Crude oil prices continue to be more expensive, hovering above $90 per barrel, due to tightening global supply. Demand for fuel increased week-to-week, but gasoline stocks also saw a slight increase.
Moving forward, analysts say, gas prices may fluctuate with some relief possibly on the way when winter-blend gas, which is usually cheaper to produce, makes it way to market in the coming weeks.
"Gas prices are dropping, but it’s unlikely that many drivers will notice”, said Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas. "The statewide average dropped three cents this week, but fluctuation remain possible. Crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline, continues to be more expensive due to tightening global supplies.”
