AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Despite Hurricane Nicholas causing some interruptions to the oil and gas industry, gas prices across the Austin metro and the state of Texas are relatively stable this week according to AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in the Austin-San Marcos metro area is $2.77 this week, which is flat from last week and 90 cents higher than a year ago.
Across the state, drivers are paying an average of $2.81, down one cent this week and some 95 cents higher than a year ago. Nationwide, the average is up one cent this week to $3.19 a gallon, which is $1.01 higher than this time last year.
Drivers in Odessa are paying the most on average at $3.09 per gallon, while drivers in San Antonio are paying the least at $2.68 per gallon.
Analysts say the disruption from Hurricane Nicholas has been mitigated somewhat due a drop in demand for gasoline, which is somewhat typical after the Labor Day holiday. Despite refinery operations that are still working to get back up to speed, regional gas supplies remain at a healthy level.
AAA says some metropolitan areas have experienced average pump price spikes since last week, including Midland, Odessa and Laredo.
Still, Texas drivers are paying the least on average in the country, along with drivers in Mississippi.
“Pump prices have the potential to still be volatile at times over the next few weeks as the Gulf of Mexico has experienced two hurricanes recently in Texas and Louisiana, impacting the oil and gas industry,” said AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster. “However, as we approach the fall season, and barring any major disruptions, drivers could see gas prices decrease as fewer people tend to take road trips this time of the year.”
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