AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Gas prices across the state are continuing to see declines, including a fifth straight week of declines for the Texas statewide average in this week's AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.
Across the Austin-San Marcos metro, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.00 this week. That's a 10 cent drop from last week and 25 cents cheaper than this time last year.
Statewide, drivers are paying an average of $3.03 a gallon. That's down 11 cents this week and 24 cents less than a year ago.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $3.37 per gallon while drivers in the Sherman/Denison area are paying the least at $2.87 per gallon.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.56, which is nine cents less when compared to this day last week and 29 cents less than the price per gallon at this same time last year.
Analysts say despite the continued declines, there are lingering uncertainties about the sustainability of this downward trajectory. This uncertainty arises from an uptick in fuel demand, coinciding with a reduction in gasoline supplies, as reported in the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Additionally, the persistence of crude oil prices above $85 per barrel adds to the uncertainty, with escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran's call for an oil embargo against Israel.
"Gas prices are following the usual autumn trend of going down, however changing market conditions are creating uncertainty as to how long the downward trend can last,” said Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas.
Drivers in Texas are paying the second lowest average, according to AAA data. California drivers are paying the most, at $5.52 on average.