No Spring Break for Arizona Pump Prices
Despite recent price hikes, AAA cautions against extreme predictions NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data should include attribution to AAA.
Phoenix, Ariz., March 8, 2012. Pump prices may have taken a “spring break” in some parts of the country, but not Arizona. Nationally, prices are up two cents this week to $3.758 per gallon. Statewide, prices rose by an average of 6.7 cents to $3.827. The last time Arizona drivers experienced a price point this high was more than 3.5 years ago in August 2008.
This week, the nationwide fuel price started to retreat, albeit slightly. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Arizona. However, the recent, aggressive price hikes have calmed. Last week, prices climbed two, three and even four cents overnight. While prices have continued to rise this week, increases have retreated to an average of less than a penny a day, a trend that could signal price stabilization in the near future.
“During times of high fuel prices, ‘experts’ begin to make headlines for extreme price projections,” said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “These forecasts are often irresponsible, as they have the potential to drive already anxious consumers into a full-fledged panic, which would only worsen the situation. AAA cautions consumers against buying into radical price predictions, as $5, $6 and $10 fuel are highly unlikely, given current market factors.”
Tucson and Scottsdale hold the low and high state fuel averages at $3.657 and $3.932, respectively. Wyoming and California hold the low and high price extremes for the lower 48 states at $3.263 and $4.347, respectively.
| City | Today’s Price | Change from Last Week | Premium | Diesel | Last Year’s Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Valley (Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Queen Creek) | $3.880 | +8.1 | $4.135 | $4.091 | $3.441 |
| Flagstaff | $3.827 | +10.6 | $4.013 | $4.196 | $3.558 |
| Glendale | $3.876 | +6.7 | $4.126 | $4.161 | $3.473 |
| Peoria | $3.863 | +6.3 | $4.118 | $4.134 | $3.441 |
| Phoenix (city) | $3.876 | +8.2 | $4.124 | $4.111 | $3.461 |
| Pima County | $3.669 | +4.7 | $3.880 | $4.089 | $3.293 |
| Prescott (Tri-Cities) | $3.781 | +5.6 | $4.017 | $4.122 | $3.457 |
| Scottsdale (Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) | $3.932 | +7.9 | $4.202 | $4.181 | $3.532 |
| Tucson | $3.657 | +5.1 | $3.875 | $4.068 | $3.286 |
| Yuma | $3.871 | +5.4 | $4.058 | $4.080 | $3.605 |
| Statewide | $3.827 | +6.7 | $4.070 | $4.131 | $3.470 |
| National | $3.758 | +2.0 | $4.035 | $4.089 | $3.524 |
| E-85 | $3.218 | +1.7 | - | - | $2.959 |
| *E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price | $4.234 | +2.1 | - | - | $3.894 |
AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:
- Fuel Price Finder (AAA.com/fuelfinder) locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
- AAA Gas Price Alerts (AAA.com/gasalerts) offers users weekly fuel price text alerts.
- Fuel Cost Calculator (FuelCostCalculator.AAA.com) helps budget travel expenses.
- TripTik Mobile (AAA.com/mobile) plots fuel prices along your travel route.
- AAA's Member Rewards Visa® Credit Card (AAA.com/financial/AAAvisa.htm) accumulates double points on fuel purchases.
*The BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is the nationwide average price of E-85 adjusted to reflect the lower energy content as expressed in British Thermal Units. The BTU-adjusted price is calculated and displayed as part of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report because according to the Energy Information Administration, E-85 delivers approximately 25 percent fewer BTUs by volume than conventional gasoline. Because "flexible fuel" vehicles can operate on conventional fuel and E-85, the BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is essential to understanding the cost implications of each fuel choice for consumers.
AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report includes data from gasoline stations in every Arizona community. Local prices in some communities might be higher or lower than the averages shown here. This service is updated daily by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) with average national, state and local prices for gasoline, diesel and E-85. Every day more than 100,000 stations are surveyed in cooperation with Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability.