Gas prices drop as Labor Day approaches

The statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline has dropped three cents while the average in Beaumont is down one cent as the Labor Day holiday approaches, according to AAA Texas.

The Beaumont average is $2.53. That's down one cent.

The weekly survey indicates the statewide average is $2.52. That's down three cents from last week.

(IRVING, TEXAS) ---- From AAA Texas - The average gas price in Texas decreased three cents to $2.52 for a gallon of unleaded regular fuel and the national average also decreased a penny since last week settling at $2.68, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. Texas continues to be well below the national average - again this week it's 16 cents less than the national average price. Drivers can factor in these consistent fuel prices as they finalize their Labor Day travel budgets.

The cheapest average for a gallon of gasoline is in Ft. Worth and Houston at $2.46, down four cents in Ft. Worth and three cents in Houston from last week. Motorists in El Paso are paying the most at $2.71, which dropped two cents since last week.

"Many people are getting out of town for the Labor Day holiday beginning today, and drivers will be paying close to the lowest prices of the year as they fill up for their trip," said AAA Texas Corporate Communications Manager Dan Ronan in Irving, Texas. "AAA Texas travel projections indicate 91 percent of Texans traveling will be driving to their destination. Holiday travel is expected to increase in Texas by nearly nine percent and in all areas of the country by close to ten percent as this year's summer travel season comes to a close."

For those families planning to drive to a destination over the Labor Day weekend, they can use AAA's www.fuelcostcalculator.com to plan their gas budget. Motorists can plug in their starting city, destination, and make, year, and model of their vehicle in the fuel cost calculator for the average mileage and cost of fuel for their trip.