Texas gas prices slip two cents after five weeks of gains

After climbing 37 cents over five straight weeks, statewide prices for unleaded gasoline slipped two cents to $1.87 a gallon, according to AAA Texas.

The price was either lower or the same in all of Texas major metropolitian areas, with Dallas drivers paying the most at $1.94 a gallon, a two cent decline from last week. Fort Worth and Arlington motorists saw gas prices slip six cents to $1.92. Amarillo is paying the lowest prices at $1.70.

While the price of gas is flirting with $2 in Fort Worth and Dallas, gas is still more than 30 cents cheaper than a year ago. Nationally, the average price of gas was $2.04, a drop of two cents, AAA Texas reported.

While the price of gasoline in Fort Worth and Arlington is still 35 cents higher than the first week of March, there are stations providing fuel at a cheaper price.

Gas Buddy’s local website, fortworthgasprices.com, was reporting an average price of $1.90 with a Valero in west Fort Worth selling unleaded gas for $1.64. The highest price reported from the cheapest 15 stations in the area was $1.73.

Prices have gone up since the first of March primarily because refineries are switching over to making the more expensive, but environmentally-sensitive summer blend of fuel. The gasoline burns cleaner than the fuel sold during the winter.

Prices also are expected to go higher because of higher demand during the summer driving season.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 3:50 PM with the headline "Texas gas prices slip two cents after five weeks of gains."