Gas Prices Are Climbing in Texas but Road Trippers Still Have Ways to Save

Road trips remain central to life in the Lone Star State. In 2025, Texans are still hitting the highways to Big Bend, the Gulf Coast, and beyond, but they face steady fuel expenses amid modest price fluctuations. With careful planning, vehicle upkeep, and smart travel strategies, it’s possible to offset those costs and keep road travel affordable.

Texas Gas Prices Climb as Summer Travel Season Heats Up

According to AAA Texas, the statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline in June 2025 was $2.82 per gallon, slightly up from earlier in the year but still among the lowest prices nationally. By late August, prices had eased to $2.74 per gallon, the lowest for that time of year since 2021.

Texas typically enjoys below-average gas prices because it’s a top oil-producing state with major refining capacity along the Gulf Coast. Still, seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, and global oil markets can nudge prices upward in the summer. While rural stations may sometimes charge more due to location and logistics, Texas’s overall price differences between urban and rural areas are modest compared with high-cost states like California or New York.

Historically, fuel costs rise in the summer due to the switch to summer-blend gasoline, designed to reduce emissions during hot weather. Although Texas produces large volumes of petroleum, it is still tied to global oil supply and demand, so international price movements influence local pump prices. This combination of global and regional factors explains why Texans sometimes see modest price increases even though their state leads U.S. energy production.

Fuel Costs Now a Bigger Share of Road Trip Budgets

Even with Texas’s relatively low averages, gas is still a major part of trip budgets because of the state’s size. Driving long distances between major cities means even modest price increases are felt strongly. A round trip from Dallas to South Padre Island covers roughly 1,100 miles. At 25 miles per gallon and $2.80 per gallon, that costs about $122 in fuel alone. Families driving larger SUVs or trucks face even higher totals, especially if towing campers or carrying heavy cargo.

For many travelers, these costs compete with other discretionary spending such as dining, attractions, or lodging. Budget-conscious road trippers often adjust by selecting affordable accommodations, camping at Texas state parks (where basic sites cost $15–25 per night), or looking for hotels that include breakfast or free parking. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, camping reservations continue to rise, reflecting interest in lower-cost travel alternatives.

Texans are also turning to memberships to stretch their budgets. Programs like AAA provide hotel and attraction discounts, while warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club often sell fuel for 10–25 cents less per gallon than nearby competitors. These small savings accumulate quickly on long trips, especially when paired with off-peak travel habits and careful route planning.

Apps Like GasBuddy Help Road-Trippers Locate Cheaper Stations

Technology has become an essential tool for managing fuel expenses. Apps like GasBuddy allow travelers to compare real-time fuel prices, often revealing gaps of 20–30 cents per gallon between stations in the same county. Over long distances, consistently choosing the cheaper station can save meaningful amounts of money across a summer of travel.

GasBuddy and similar apps also now include trip cost calculators that estimate how much fuel a planned journey will require, helping travelers budget before they leave home. Payment programs like GasBuddy’s card, or cashback apps such as Upside, offer extra savings at certain stations. Even Google Maps and Waze now display fuel prices along mapped routes, giving drivers more information when deciding where to stop.

Local knowledge adds another layer of savings. In Texas, gas stations near busy highway exits often charge slightly more because of convenience. Drivers willing to exit a few miles into a smaller town frequently pay less. Travelers in rural areas should also keep an eye on fuel levels since stations may be spaced far apart, making it harder to be selective about price once the tank runs low.

Drive Smarter With Proven Fuel-Saving Techniques

Driving behavior remains one of the most controllable factors in fuel efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that aggressive habits; speeding, rapid acceleration, hard braking, can cut fuel economy by 15–30% on highways. Maintaining steady speeds, avoiding unnecessary lane changes, and using cruise control on long stretches such as I-10 or I-35 can help maximize mileage.

Maintenance is equally critical. Properly inflated tires can improve efficiency by about 3 %, while replacing dirty air filters or keeping up with oil changes ensures engines run at peak performance. Texas heat makes tire care especially important, since tire pressure shifts roughly 1 PSI for every 10-degree change in temperature.

Travelers can also reduce drag and weight. Removing unused roof racks or cargo boxes can improve efficiency by 6–17% on highways, while carrying lighter loads prevents unnecessary fuel waste. Air conditioning use should be strategic: at city speeds, rolled-down windows are more efficient, while at highway speeds, AC is usually better since open windows create drag. Each of these small adjustments compounds over the course of a long road trip.