Gasoline prices fall in San Angelo ahead of Labor Day weekend travel boom

SAN ANGELO, TX – As Texans prepare for Labor Day weekend, gas prices have thankfully dropped, providing some relief to travelers.

According to the latest data from AAA Texas, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Texas is $2.95 per gallon, four cents less than last week and a whopping 46 cents less than the same period last year.

The national average price is slightly higher at $3.36 per gallon, also down three cents from the previous week and 46 cents from last year. El Paso has the highest gas prices among Texas cities at $3.39 per gallon, while Lubbock offers the lowest at $2.78 per gallon.

In San Angelo, drivers are paying an average of $2.89 per gallon, 12 cents less than last year. This drop is in line with the national trend and offers a little respite for those planning to hit the road over the long weekend.

AAA Texas spokesman Daniel Armbruster noted that the drop in gas prices was due to lower inventories and solid demand, currently estimated by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) at 9.307 million barrels per day. Despite the downward trend, Armbruster warned that fluctuations were possible due to increased travel demand over the holiday weekend.

“The nationwide price of gasoline is 46 cents cheaper ahead of this Labor Day compared to last year,” Armbruster said. “Although fluctuations are still possible due to holiday travel demand, fuel prices are expected to continue to decline through September.”

In addition to lower gas prices, AAA Texas reports that Labor Day travel is expected to be strong this year, with domestic bookings up 9% year over year. The most popular domestic destinations are Seattle, WA, and Orlando, FL, while international travelers favor Vancouver, Canada, and Rome, Italy.

INRIX, a transportation data and information provider, recommends drivers avoid the afternoon and early evening hours on Thursday and Friday, as these are the times when traffic is at its heaviest. Drivers should leave in the morning, unless they are leaving on Saturday, in which case the best time to drive is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic.