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Inevitably, you’re going to need to get gas. And when you do, it’s nearly as inevitable that someone at a pump nearby will catch your eye and try to strike up some small talk. Science hasn’t been able to explain why this happens.
In North Texas, the weather and the Dallas Cowboys are often the go-to topics for such inane exchanges, but recently an even more timely and location-specific topic has emerged as the default small-talk starter: high gas prices.
The hike in cost is largely the result of the U.S. military action against Iran, who has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, halting the shipment of a large percentage of the world’s oil. Over the last 12 months, the cost of a gallon of gas in Texas has increased 36.1%, the fourth-largest increase in the U.S. according to a new SmartAsset study. According to that study, our neighbor to the north, Oklahoma, has the cheapest gas in the nation.
But a New York Times report on April 1 suggests that by prices staying below $4 per gallon in Texas, the Lone Star State is well below a number of other states who now see gas going over that mark, including Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Pennsylvania. California and Washington are both seeing gas prices surge beyond $5 per gallon.
“The wide range is owed to regional differences in taxes, distribution costs and refining margins. But the common denominator is the supply of oil in the world,” The Times report said.
Recently, the Observer went to a local gas station to ask a few folks about their thoughts on the gas prices and the U.S. military action in Iran. “It really adds up fast,” one local resident said. “And it’s really nerve-wracking.”
Gas Prices in Texas
A recent study from AAA shows what drivers from around Texas have to pay for gas right now, and therefore, what these Texans have to talk about with one another while manning the pump.
Taken from March 26, the AAA report says that the national average for a gallon of gas cost $3.98, up from $3.15 on the same date last year. AAA says the Texas average for gas is lower, at $3.61 per gallon, up from $2.76 one year ago.
Dallas gas prices fall between the national and state averages, however.
Big D was paying $3.63 per gallon on March 26, up from $2.84 one year ago. No, that’s not great, but as noted above, it’s much better than what many other states are seeing right now.
Here is how Dallas gas prices stack up against other large metro areas in Texas:
- Fort Worth/Arlington: $3.63
- Abilene: $3.85
- Austin: $3.63
- Corpus Christi: $3.42
- El Paso: $3.83
- Lubbock: $3.28
- San Antonio: $3.57
- Tyler: $3.50
- Waco: $3.64
- Wichita Falls: $3.54
