AAA Texas Says Holiday Gas Prices Hit New Lows; More People Expected to Travel By Auto.

Business & Energy Editors/Travel & Automotive Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2001

Motorists planning a Christmas - New Year's vacation will see bargain prices at the pumps.

The statewide average price for regular self-serve is $1.03 a gallon. A year ago, Texans were shelling out $1.37 a gallon -- 34 cents more.

Nationally, motorists are currently paying an average of $1.12 for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline; the lowest price since March 1999 when the average was 97 cents a gallon.

There are about 20 states, including the Lone Star state, hovering at or below $1.10.

"The current recession and lower demand for fuel have helped drive gasoline prices to their lowest level in nearly three years," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "While air travel has increased following the Sept. 11th events, many consumers remain hesitant about air travel security and are opting to drive this Christmas - New Year's holiday."

AAA estimates nearly 54 million Americans plan to travel 50 miles or more from home -- a six percent decrease over last year's 57 million.

Motor vehicle travel is expected to remain about the same as last year. Of those, 42.2 million travelers expect to go by motor vehicle -- a one percent drop from the 42.7 million who took a trip last year.

Another 11.5 million will travel by airplane, train or bus, down 20 percent from the 14.4 million who traveled last Christmas.

"We expect to see a higher percentage traveling by auto this holiday -- 79 percent compared to 75 percent a year ago," added Rougeau.

AAA's holiday travel projections are based on a national telephone survey of 1,300 adults conducted by the Travel Industry Association, which does special research for AAA.

AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. AAA Texas offers its members a full service travel agency, auto-related and financial services, as well as public safety programs and legislative advocacy.

                  AAA Texas Monthly Fuel Gauge Report
          (Average price for a gallon of regular self-serve
                     in 17 selected Texas cities)

                       Dec.    Nov.    Oct.   Sept.   Dec.   Dec.'01-
 Metro          State  `01     `01     `01    `01     `00    Dec.'00
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Abilene           TX   1.05   1.099   1.303   1.484   1.39   down 34
Amarillo          TX   1.01   1.077   1.161   1.555   1.38   down 37
Austin            TX   1.01   1.065   1.219   1.384   1.35   down 34
Beaumont          TX   1.01   1.068   1.229   1.402   1.40   down 39
Brownsville       TX   1.00   1.000   1.111   1.376   1.32   down 32
Corpus Christi    TX   1.00   1.010   1.127   1.368   1.32   down 32
Dallas            TX   1.04   1.139   1.313   1.427   1.43   down 39
El Paso           TX   1.09   1.167   1.279   1.443   1.33   down 24
Fort Worth        TX   1.05   1.143   1.307   1.429   1.41   down 36
Houston           TX   1.01   1.107   1.272   1.403   1.38   down 37
Laredo            TX   1.13   1.247   1.331   1.432   1.43   down 30
Longview          TX   1.04   1.138   1.220   1.456   1.37   down 33
Lubbock           TX   1.03   1.036   1.225   1.477   1.39   down 36
Midland           TX   1.04   1.081   1.253   1.414   1.49   down 45
Odessa            TX   1.02   1.050   1.207   1.400   1.37   down 35
San Antonio       TX   0.98   0.998   1.143   1.365   1.26   down 28
Waco              TX   1.03   1.053   1.176   1.396   1.34   down 31
Average           TX   1.03   1.087   1.228   1.424   1.37   down 34


                      (Dec. '01)     (Dec. '00)

National                 $1.12          $1.48       down .36
Texas                    $1.03          $1.37       down .34