Silver lining to winter storm? Lower gas prices across state
Fewer drivers on North Texas roads this week has resulted in a slight drop in prices at the pump, according to AAA Texas.
Heading into the weekend, Texas’ average stands at $3.12 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel — a penny less than last week — in AAA’S tracking. Nationally, the average price is $3.50.
“Pump price increases have cooled over the last week with fewer drivers on the road thanks in large part to this week’s winter storm,” said AAA Texas spokesman Daniel Armbruster.
“To get the best fuel economy, it’s important to remember to follow within posted speed limits, keep your vehicle wellmaintained and use an app — such as the AAA mobile app — to see how much stations are charging in your area.”
In Dallas, drivers are paying an average of $3.15 at the pump, up about 4 cents from last week.
Minor increases may have been due to crude oil prices staying above $80 a barrel for several days, said AAA spokesman Joshua Zuber.
“Gas prices will still continue to fluctuate
based on the assumption that demand may increase as the region thaws; however, the market may balance out as crude oil prices, at least at the moment, have been decreasing to under $80 a barrel on the news that OPEC+ has decided to stay the course with its current production plan,” Zuber said.
Texas drivers are paying the lowest gas price average in the country, according to AAA. In Hawaii,
drivers are shelling out the most at $4.93 on average for a gallon of regular unleaded.
Price-tracking site Gasbuddy predicted in the firm’s 2023 fuel outlook that the national average price of gas could cool early in the year as demand remains seasonally weak. Gasbuddy also said Americans will spend less on gasoline this year, an estimated $470.8 billion in 2023, down $55 billion
from 2022.
Roads should begin to improve Thursday afternoon, as the forecast calls for temperatures to briefly climb above freezing into the mid-30s. The warmup will be brief, though, with cloudy skies keeping it still pretty icy.
By Friday, the temperature is expected to reach the upper 40s, and the sun will make an appearance, meaning the ice should finally melt.