Gas prices in Texas usually drop in September. Here’s why they’re staying above $3 a gallon
The gas price average across Texas is $3.44 a gallon, according to AAA Texas, which is six cents more than a week ago and 26 cents more than a year ago.
Fuel demand has remained strong despite the end of the summer driving season and higher fuel costs. That demand, along with rising crude oil prices, is pushing fuel prices up.
Crude oil prices are up by nearly $2 a barrel compared to last week, climbing steadily since June. Because crude oil comprises approximately 50 to 60% of each gallon’s cost, higher crude prices could hinder the typical September drop in gas prices, per AAA Texas.
“Although September usually sees gas prices decrease due to reduced demand, pump price fluctuations persist throughout the Lone Star State. Despite higher September prices, fuel demand remains strong,” said Daniel Armbruster, AAA Texas spokesperson, in a news release. “The continuous rise in crude oil prices, the primary gasoline ingredient, is likely preventing the usual September decline in retail fuel prices.”
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says continued refinery challenges in the western U.S. have pulled gas prices up considerably in some states.
Drivers in Texas are paying the seventh lowest gas price average in the country, according to gasprices.aaa.com. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.59 while the highest was $4.39 per gallon.
Gas prices averaged $3.39 in Tarrant County as of Monday afternoon, which is on the lower end compared to other Texas counties, with Oldham County in the Panhandle the highest at $3.99 and Wilbarger County in North Texas the lowrst at $3.17.
The Fort Worth-Arlington metro averaged $3.40, compared with $3.24 a year ago. Drivers in the El Paso area paid the most on average at $3.82 a gallon, while drivers in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission paid the least at $3.33.
Average gas prices in Fort Worth have risen eight cents per gallon in the last week and 16 cents in the last year, averaging $3.37 Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 1,039 stations in the city. The cheapest station in Fort Worth was priced at $3.07, while the most expensive was $3.79 per gallon, per GasBuddy price reports.
As for neighboring cities, Dallas was at $3.38 a gallon, up five cents from last week; Waco stood at $3.37, up 15 cents from last week; and College Station was at $3.42, up two cents.
“With the transition back to cheaper winter gasoline now upon us in nearly every state, we should see prices eventually cooling back off, but if refinery issues continue to develop or linger, especially now that we’re entering maintenance season with less available capacity online, the expected decline could certainly be offset,” De Haan said in a press release. “In addition, with oil prices now above $91 for the first time in nearly a year, there remains some offset from the rising price of oil thanks to Saudi Arabia and Russia’s war on low oil prices, now in its third month.”
10 cheapest gas stations in Fort Worth
$3.14: Sam’s Club, 4400 Bryant Irvin Rd.
$3.16: Costco, 5300 Overton Ridge Blvd.
$3.19: Texaco, 2616 Jacksboro Hwy.
$3.19: Phillips 66, 4619 River Oaks Blvd.
$3.22: Sam’s Club, 8351 Anderson Blvd.
$3.23: RaceTrac, 7801 Crowley Rd.
$3.24: Shell & 7-Eleven, 2551 Meacham Blvd.
$3.26: Murphy Express, 841 W Rendon Crowley Rd.
$3.27: Murphy USA, 4611 N Tarrant Pkwy.
$3.27: Valero, 6044 S Hulen St.
