AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin-area drivers are seeing another week of prices dropping at the gas pump, while some areas of Texas are seeing increases in this week's AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Austin metro area this week is $3.08, down six cents from last week and 99 cents cheaper than this time a year ago.
Across the state, the average is down three cents this week to $3.09 a gallon, which is a full dollar cheaper than a year ago.
Drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $3.29 a gallon, while the Victoria area is seeing the lowest average in the state this week at $2.91 a gallon.
Nationwide, drivers are paying $3.54 a gallon, which is three cents cheaper on the week and 86 cents cheaper than a year ago.
Crude oil prices are back above $70 a barrel, so drivers may notice pump prices creeping up again in some areas. There are several market forces at play which are influencing oil and gas prices. Driving up costs is the latest reading from the U.S. Energy Information Administration which showed demand returning to summer-like levels across the country. Regional stockpiles of gasoline declined slightly. On the other hand, the energy industry is watching how higher interest rates, inflation and the looming debt ceiling debate could impact demand for fuel products.