The statewide gas price average in Texas is $2.50 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. That price is five cents more when compared to this day last week and is 24 cents less per gallon compared to this day last year. Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Texas, drivers in Corpus Christi are paying the most on average at $2.64 per gallon while drivers in the Lubbock area are paying the least at $2.27 per gallon. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.87, which is two cents more when compared to this day last week and 25 cents less when compared to this day last year.
Gas prices moved higher over the past week as a major winter storm disrupted fuel supply across much of the country, including Texas. Below-freezing temperatures and lingering snow impacted some crude oil production and refinery operations, while gasoline demand jumped ahead of the storm as drivers filled up their tanks in anticipation of hazardous travel conditions. The combination of tighter supply and increased demand contributed to slightly higher prices at the pump in many towns statewide and nationally.
“Severe winter weather can disrupt multiple parts of the fuel supply chain,” said Daniel Armbruster, AAA Texas spokesperson. “Production slowdowns, delivery delays, and increased demand ahead of the storm all played a role in pushing prices higher at the pump over the past week.”
