Texas gas prices down before Thanksgiving week

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 9:54 AM ET

HOUSTON (AP) - Texas retail gasoline prices slipped 3 cents as travelers prepare for next week's Thanksgiving holiday.

AAA Texas on Thursday reported the average price at the pump was $2.48. Gasoline prices nationally declined by 2 cents, to average $2.63 a gallon.

The weekly survey found that the cheapest gasoline was in Fort Worth and Galveston, at $2.44 a gallon. El Paso had the state's most expensive gasoline, at $2.62.

Association spokeswoman Rhonda Wilson says the travel and tourism industry "appears to be coming out of a slow period."

AAA Texas projects about 3.3 million residents will travel over Thanksgiving, with nearly 3 million planning to drive. Nationally, 38.4 million Americans are projected to travel over the holiday weekend.

AAA says the region including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas should see a more than 7 percent increase in Thanksgiving travel, after a 40 percent decline in 2008.