HOUSTON – Texans are getting some welcome relief at the pump just as summer travel season kicks into high gear.
According to the latest AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has fallen to $3.72 per gallon, marking a 20-cent drop from last week. This is the second consecutive week of significant declines in gas prices across Texas and nationwide.
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For Houston-area drivers planning summer road trips, vacations, or daily commutes, the lower prices could translate into meaningful savings over the coming weeks.
Why Texans should care
Gas prices remain one of the biggest expenses for many families, especially during the busy summer driving season when millions hit the road for vacations and holiday travel.
For a typical vehicle with a 15-gallon tank, the recent 20-cent decline means drivers are saving about $3 per fill-up compared to last week. While that may not seem like much, the savings can add up quickly for families taking long-distance road trips or commuting regularly.
Texas drivers are also benefiting from prices that remain well below the national average.
The national average currently sits at $4.24 per gallon, meaning Texans are paying about 52 cents less per gallon than the average U.S. driver.
How Texas compares
Texas is now one of 17 states with statewide average gas prices below $4 per gallon, according to AAA.
Among the state’s major metropolitan areas:
- El Paso has the highest average gas price at $4.05 per gallon
- McAllen has the lowest average at $3.44 per gallon
While Houston-specific figures were not included in the latest report, drivers across the region are seeing prices trend downward as oil costs remain below $100 per barrel.
Will gas prices keep falling?
AAA says there is still uncertainty ahead.
Oil prices have remained slightly below $100 per barrel, helping ease pressure on fuel costs. However, global factors continue to influence prices.
“With constantly fluctuating gas prices at the start of the summer road trip season, it’s hard for drivers to know the best prices for gasoline as they hit the road,” said AAA Texas Corporate Communications Manager Doug Shupe.
Shupe recommends drivers use tools such as the AAA mobile app or other gas price-tracking services to compare prices and find the cheapest fuel nearby.
What Houston drivers can expect
While recent declines are encouraging, experts warn that gas prices could remain volatile throughout the summer due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and global oil market uncertainty.
For now, though, Houston-area drivers heading out for weekend getaways, beach trips to Galveston, or longer summer vacations can take advantage of some of the lowest gas prices Texas has seen in weeks.
Gas prices are moving in the right direction just as summer travel ramps up, giving Texans a little extra room in their budgets during one of the busiest driving seasons of the year.