AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch

HOUSTON, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 17, 2006 --Pump prices turned slightly upward this week as more than 31 million Americans prepare to drive for the Thanksgiving holiday next week, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.

The current Texas statewide average price for self-serve regular gasoline is $2.110 a gallon, up about three cents.

"Anticipated demand for gasoline during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel period may be pulling prices somewhat higher," said AAA Texas spokesperson Rose Rougeau. "We expect to see a 2.6 percent increase in the number of people driving to their destination compared to the 30.8 million who drove last year. Unlike summer travel, Thanksgiving is a time for Americans to visit their families, which means there is an emotional reason to travel and higher gas prices, long lines and traffic will not dissuade them."

The national average for regular self-serve gasoline is $2.230 -- a weekly increase of two cents. AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline in Texas.

Average Daily Prices as of 12:01 AM, Nov. 17, 2006:

                      Weekly            Weekly            Record  Year Ago
Area        11/16/06  Change   11/9/06  Change  11/2/06    High    Average
--------     -------  ------   -------  ------  --------  -------  --------
National     $2.230    +2.1    $2.209    +0.2    $2.207    $3.057   $2.276
                       cents             cent             (9/5/05)
State        $2.110    +2.7    $2.083    -0.8    $2.091    $2.964   $2.191
                       cents             cent             (9/4/05)
Austin -
 San Marcos  $2.167    +1.8    $2.149    -1.0    $2.159    $2.918   $2.216
                       cents             cent             (9/6/05)
Amarillo     $2.171    +3.0    $2.141    -1.2    $2.153    $3.035   $2.127
                       cents             cents            (8/7/06)
Beaumont     $2.083    +1.8    $2.065    +1.2    $2.053    $2.930   $2.287
                       cents             cents            (9/4/05)
Corpus
 Christi     $2.033    +3.3    $2.000    +1.0    $1.990    $2.929   $2.011
                       cents             cent             (9/3/05)
Dallas       $2.103    +3.3    $2.070    -0.3    $2.073    $3.019   $2.187
                       cents             cent             (9/4/05)
El Paso      $2.135  no change $2.135    -0.5    $2.140    $3.002   $2.266
                                         cent             (8/5/06)
Ft. Worth    $2.099    +3.7    $2.062    -0.3    $2.065    $3.012   $2.178
                       cents             cent             (9/4/05)
Galveston-
 Texas City  $2.057    +3.9    $2.018    -0.3    $2.021    $2.997   $2.261
                       cents             cent             (9/4/05)
Houston      $2.048    +3.6    $2.012    -0.7    $2.019    $2.971   $2.234
                       cents             cent             (9/6/05)
San Antonio  $2.087    +1.2    $2.075    -1.5    $2.090    $2.909   $2.122
                       cents             cents            (9/4/05)
Texarkana
 (TX only)   $2.147    +2.7    $2.120    +1.2    $2.108    $2.960   $2.053
                       cents             cents            (8/7/06)

Contact Information: Contact: Rose Rougeau 1.800.888.5521 (ext. 6552) Email Contact