Pocket of West Texas leads gas price push over the last year In cities, Odessa, Midland, Abilene and San Angelo, the price has increased 80 cents or more

The organization reports this week the following year-over-year increases for gas: San Angelo, 80 cents; Abilene, 82 cents; Midland, 86 cents; and Odessa 93 cents. The average year-over-year increase across the state is 60 cents.

less The organization reports this week the following year-over-year increases for gas: San Angelo, 80 cents; Abilene, 82 cents; Midland, 86 cents; and Odessa 93 cents. The average year-over-year increase across the ... more Photo: Associated Press /File Photo Photo: Associated Press /File Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Pocket of West Texas leads gas price push over the last year 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

There is a pocket of West Texas where the price of gasoline has risen at a much greater rate than other parts of the state.

That pocket includes Odessa, Midland, Abilene and San Angelo.

At one time, the high schools in those communities made up one of the strongest high school football districts in the state. Today, some drivers may recognize those four cities as the only four – of the state’s larger metropolitan areas – where the average price of gas has increased 80 cents or more over the last year, according to AAA Texas.

The organization reports this week the following year-over-year increases for gas: San Angelo, 80 cents; Abilene, 82 cents; Midland, 86 cents; and Odessa 93 cents. The average year-over-year increase across the state is 60 cents.

Distributors have told the Reporter-Telegram there are many complexities in the fuel business that impact pricing. They pointed to the high cost of transportation from Gulf Coast refineries and Midland’s distance from pipelines. There are also issues with the high cost of living, at least in Midland and Odessa, where rents are climbing at rates incomparable around the nation.

AAA Texas does report the price increase to be lower in Lubbock (68 cents) and Amarillo (62 cents). TexasGasPrices.com reports the cheapest gas in Amarillo can be purchased for $2.39 a gallon. The cheapest in Midland, according to the website, is $2.90. Wichita Falls, also not close to the Gulf Coast, bucks the geography trend with a 54-cent increase in the average price of gas (one of the lowest in the state). AAA Texas reports a $2.52 average price of gas in Wichita Falls and Amarillo. That price is 13 cents below the state average ($2.65) and 56 cents less than the average price in Midland ($3.08).

AAA Texas again reports Midland is home to the most expensive average price of gas among the 27 larger metropolitan cities it surveys. Odessa is second at $3.06. The organization reports Midland and Odessa are the only cities with an average price above $3, and drivers here pay in excess than 20 cents more for gas than the next closest city on AAA Texas’ list -- El Paso, at $2.83.

Drivers in Brownville and Harlingen are paying the lowest average in the state at $2.48.

AAA Texas also reports that gas prices in Texas and many parts of the country have consistently been declining since Memorial Day. Texas was tied for 10th place among states with the largest weekly average price decrease. However, increased demand over the Fourth of July holiday period could slow the declining trend, or possibly cause prices to tick back up slightly in the coming days, according to market analysts.

In Texas, the average decline in the price was 4 cents. The decline in Midland, according to AAA Texas, was 1 cent. In Odessa, the average price actually increased 2 cents. Odessa was the only city in the state with a price increase. San Angelo showed no change week over week.

The largest decreases happened far from the Gulf Coast with a 9-cent decrease in El Paso and a 7-cent decrease in Amarillo. Next on the statewide list were Dallas and Wichita Falls, a 5-cent decrease.

Gas price report

Cheapest gas: $2.90 (Sam’s Club, Tradewinds/SH 191)

Cheapest gas (non-membership club): $2.96 (H-E-B, Andrews Highway/Loop 250; H-E-B, Wadley/Midkiff; Murphy USA, Midland Drive/Briarwood)

Most expensive gas: $3.19

Most common price: $3.09

Cheapest prices in West Texas: Amarillo $2.39, Lubbock $2.49, San Angelo $2.71, Abilene $2.73, Midland $2.90, Odessa $2.93

Mid-Odessa Texas

Thursday $3.054 $2.634

Last week $3.041 $2.678

Last month $3.057 $2.753

Last year $2.145 $2.048

Source: TexasGasPrices.com