AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Gas prices across the Austin area remained relatively flat this week, despite still being roughly 25 cents higher or more compared to a year ago - according to this week's AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.
Drivers in the Austin-San Marcos metro area are paying an average of $3.49 a gallon this week on average, down one cent from last week's average of $3.50 a gallon. That's 31 cents higher than this time last year.
Across the state, Texas drivers are paying an average of $3.41 a gallon. That's a one cent dip from last week's $3.42 a gallon, and 25 cents higher than last year when drivers were paying $3.16 a gallon on average.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $3.78 per gallon while drivers in the McAllen metro area are paying the least at $3.26 per gallon.
Nationwide, drivers are paying an average of $3.87 a gallon, up one cent from last week and 19 cents more than last year.
The statewide gas price average experienced a slight decrease from the previous week, but analysts say the potential for higher retail fuel prices still exists - mainly due to factors such as crude oil prices hovering around $90 per barrel and a slight decrease in regional gasoline supplies compared to the previous week.
One looming change that should help lower prices at the pump is the annual transition to winter-blend gasoline, which is typically less expensive.
The difference between summer- and winter-blend gasoline involves the fuel’s Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), which is a measure of how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature. Winter-blend gas has a higher RVP because the fuel must be able to evaporate at low temperatures for the engine to operate properly. Summer-blend gas has a lower RVP to prevent excessive evaporation when outside temperatures rise. That evaporation can cause vapor lock in an engine on hot days and contributes to unhealthy ground-level ozone and smog levels.
Summer-blend gas contains two percent butane, but that percentage is higher in the winter blend. Butane is used as lighter fluid and is a secondary ingredient in fuel canisters used for gas grills and camping. As a fuel, butane is less expensive than other gasoline components, but its high volatility limits how much can be included in summer-grade fuel.
"Gas prices in Texas are 25 cents more per gallon on average compared to this time last year”, said Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas. “With crude oil hovering around $90 per barrel, steady demand and a slight drop in regional gasoline supply, drivers may not see much relief at the pump for at least a few more weeks. The annual switchover to the cheaper winter-blend fuel takes effect soon.”
Drivers in Texas are paying the fifth-lowest average in the country. Mississippi has the country's lowest average at $3.29 a gallon, while drivers in California are paying the most at $5.79 a gallon.