Gas prices across Texas jumped 16 cents this week to $3.71 per gallon for regular unleaded, continuing an upward trend that’s affecting family budgets statewide. The culprit is crude oil trading near $90 per barrel, but the story behind the spike goes deeper than typical market forces. According to industry analysts, Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries over the past six weeks have added significant uncertainty to global oil supplies, which directly impacts what we pay at the pump in Lawton and across Oklahoma. This geopolitical volatility is expected to continue for the near term, meaning prices could remain elevated even as we approach fall.
The pain isn’t spread equally across the state. While Tyler is seeing the lowest prices at $3.57 per gallon, El Paso tops out at $3.96, and West Texas cities like Odessa and Midland experienced particularly brutal weekly increases of 27 and 24 cents respectively. If you live or work in those regions, the impact on your gas budget is substantially higher than in other parts of Texas. National gas prices have already crossed the $4 threshold at $4.09 per gallon, so Texas drivers are still getting a relative break compared to other states.
The silver lining? Fall typically brings declining gas prices as demand decreases and refineries complete seasonal maintenance shifts. However, that relief usually arrives in September or October, which means families dealing with back-to-school expenses right now are experiencing the worst timing possible. In the meantime, using fuel price comparison apps, consolidating trips, and paying attention to gas station loyalty programs can help offset some of the pain. What strategies are you using to manage higher fuel costs this summer?
