Retail gasoline prices rose in Texas this week for the sixth week in a row.

But the weekly AAA Texas gas price survey released today finds the upward trend slowed this week.

The statewide average price for regular-grade gasoline rose 3 cents this week to $2.41 per gallon. That's after an 11 cent increase the week before. Nationally, the price average rose 4 cents per gallon to $2.55 per gallon.

Auto club spokeswoman Rose Rougeau says strong consumer demand, a relatively high crude oil price and seasonal refinery conversions to warm-weather blends are behind the price spikes.

The most expensive regular-grade gasoline is in Amarillo, where the average price rose five cents this week to $2.51 per gallon. Drivers are paying an average of $2.40 a gallon in Austin and San Marcos. The cheapest gas is in Corpus Christi, where it rose a penny to $2.32 per gallon.