Average gasoline price climbs 9 cents a gallon in Beaumont

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is increasing in Beaumont and across Texas, according to a report released Thursday by AAA Texas.

The average increased to $2.70 a gallon in Beaumont. That's an increase of 9 cents from last week and 89 cents a gallon from the same time last year.

Beaumont's average is the second highest in Texas, behind El Paso's $2.72.

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Retail gasoline prices are up across Texas for a third week in a row.

The weekly AAA Texas survey released Thursday shows regular unleaded rose an average of 8 cents at Texas pumps to $2.65 per gallon. Nationally, the average price rose 7 cents to $2.78 per gallon.

Season price increases are a factor in the increase as refineries switch to summer fuel blends and speculators consider the usual summer increase of driving. But the auto club also cites a slightly stronger economy and a soft dollar for strengthening crude oil prices.

The least expensive gasoline in Texas is in Houston, where the retail prices average $2.60 per gallon - up 9 cents from last week. The most expensive gasoline is, as usual, in El Paso at $2.72 per gallon - up 4 cents from last week.

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