State Fuel Price Reaches 7-Month High
NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data should include attribution to AAA.
Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 26, 2012. Pump price hikes in some parts of the country may have come to a halt, but for the fifth consecutive week, Arizona fuel prices continue to climb. Statewide, drivers are currently paying $3.362 per gallon, an increase of nearly four cents from last week. Nationwide, the average fuel price is relatively unchanged from last week at $3.379.
This week, bearish demand — the lowest in more than a decade – pulled the price of crude oil into double digits, albeit briefly. However, euro zone debt concerns and continued tensions in Iran helped the commodity resume its position in the low $100 range, where it has steadily traded over the last several weeks.
“While current market factors have enabled pump prices in some states to level off, prices in Arizona have yet to pause,” said Linda Gorman, director of communication and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “This in large part can be attributed to impending refinery shutdowns, as maintenance at refineries which are responsible for Arizona’s fuel supply is scheduled fairly early in the season.”
Tucson and Yuma hold the low and high state fuel averages at $3.217 and $3.452 per gallon, respectively. Wyoming and California hold the low and high price extremes for the lower 48 states at $2.985 and $3.721 per gallon, 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) | $3.379 | +5.2 | $3.626 | $3.626 | $3.007 |
| Flagstaff | $3.426 | +2.1 | $3.628 | $3.974 | $3.075 |
| Glendale | $3.356 | +3.7 | $3.631 | $3.910 | $3.028 |
| Peoria | $3.355 | +4.4 | $3.604 | $3.939 | $3.048 |
| Phoenix (city) | $3.375 | +5.0 | $3.627 | $3.906 | $3.011 |
| Pima County | $3.231 | +3.1 | $3.438 | $3.977 | $2.907 |
| Prescott (Tri-Cities) | $3.347 | +1.6 | $3.544 | $3.910 | $2.937 |
| Scottsdale (Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) | $3.442 | +4.7 | $3.713 | $3.972 | $3.074 |
| Tucson | $3.217 | +3.2 | $3.433 | $3.961 | $2.904 |
| Yuma | $3.452 | +1.8 | $3.637 | $3.862 | $3.066 |
| Statewide | $3.362 | +3.8 | $3.592 | $3.933 | $3.009 |
| National | $3.379 | +0.1 | $3.648 | $3.864 | $3.106 |
| E-85 | $3.055 | -0.3 | - | - | $2.660 |
| *E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price | $4.020 | -0.4 | - | - | $3.501 |
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.