Gas prices around Austin are up five cents from last week and more than 20 cents from last month.
AAA Texas says Austinites are paying an average of $3.54 for a gallon of regular. That’s one cent higher than the state average.
Political tension in Iran and increased demand from the summer travel season are blamed for the increase.
Doug Shupe is a spokesman for AAA Texas. He says analysts believe prices will probably continue to go up – but there could be some relief soon.“The analysts are telling us that once Labor Day is over and the summer travel season ends and refineries transition to less expensive fuel blends – that’s when we’re going to start seeing these prices going down again. So relief at the pump is around the corner," Shupe says.
Texans are still paying much less than the national average of $3.71.