Gas prices up for second straight week

Remember when gas was cheap? No, we're not talking about 10 years ago — we're referring to earlier this year, when the price of a gallon dipped well below $2 at some stations around town. Well, keep that in mind: It'll help you deal with shelling out $2 and change at the pump these days.

According to AAA Texas, gas prices statewide rose for the second straight week this week, settling at an average of $2.11 for a gallon of regular unleaded. That's an increase of 4 cents over last week's statewide average. The good news about all this: We're still way below the national average gas price of $2.24 a gallon (a nickel increase over last week). The bad news: Things will probably only get worse in the short term. "It is likely the price of gas will move higher over the next few weeks. This is because crude has rallied from recent lows near $51 a barrel to $58 a barrel and refineries are getting ready to make their annual switch to the cleaner-burning summer blends," AAA spokeswoman Rose Rougeau said.

In Texas, the most expensive gas this week was in Amarillo, where the average price for a gallon was $2.22. The cheapest was in Corpus Christi, with an average price of $2.03. Locally, HoustonGasPrices.com reports the cheapest gas is $1.97 at the Fuel Express at Spencer and Durant in Pasadena. If you're looking to blow some extra cash, head over to the Korner Food Mart at 3811 Newcastle, where a gallon will cost you a whopping $2.35.