HOUSTON (May 13, 2009)--The average retail price for gasoline jumped 13 cents this week across Texas to hit $2.17 a gallon.

AAA-Texas reported Wednesday that the nationwide average rose 12 cents, reaching $2.26.

The association says Amarillo had the state's most expensive gasoline, at $2.21 a gallon. Corpus Christi had the cheapest gasoline, at $2.12.

AAA-Texas credited higher retail prices to the rising cost of crude, plus the switchover by companies to the summer blend of gasoline.

Spokeswoman Sarah Schimmer says many gas stations are raising prices in anticipation of Memorial Day weekend travel.

Gasoline prices across Texas one year ago were close to $3.65 a gallon.

The association expects almost 2.25 million Texans will travel over the holiday weekend, with nearly 1.8 million of them driving.