State Fuel Prices Up 12 Percent from Start of 2012
NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data should include attribution to AAA.
Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 23, 2012. Drivers are continuing to feel the pinch of higher pump prices as the cost of fuel moves higher for the eighth consecutive week. This week, the state and nationwide averages climbed 9 cents to $3.581 and $3.612 per gallon, respectively. Combined with this week’s sharp price shift, Arizona gas prices have climbed 37 cents—or 12 percent—from the start of the year.
This week, escalating geopolitical tensions with Iran pushed the price of crude oil above $106 per barrel, following the country’s announcement to cut exports to Britain and France. Consequently, the price of crude oil surged to a nine-month high, buoying retail gasoline to a price point motorists haven’t experienced in eight months.
“Escalating tensions in Iran have added anxiety to an already volatile market, trumping historically anemic demand,” said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “As such, motorists are seeing pump prices climb towards the $4 mark, a price point they are almost certain to face sooner rather than later this year.”
Tucson and Scottsdale hold the low and high state fuel averages at $3.450 and $3.698, respectively. Wyoming and California hold the low and high price extremes for the lower 48 states at $3.062 and $4.142, 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) | $3.594 | +9.1 | $3.829 | $3.879 | $3.238 |
| Flagstaff | $3.596 | +7.2 | $3.784 | $4.031 | $3.375 |
| Glendale | $3.613 | +10.7 | $3.849 | $3.948 | $3.246 |
| Peoria | $3.585 | +9.6 | $3.808 | $3.920 | $3.243 |
| Phoenix (city) | $3.592 | +8.2 | $3.835 | $3.927 | $3.236 |
| Pima County | $3.464 | +8.6 | $3.664 | $3.958 | $3.108 |
| Prescott (Tri-Cities) | $3.569 | +10.4 | $3.762 | $3.915 | $3.252 |
| Scottsdale (Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) | $3.698 | +11.8 | $3.953 | $4.015 | $3.305 |
| Tucson | $3.450 | +8.2 | $3.655 | $3.938 | $3.102 |
| Yuma | $3.680 | +10.6 | $3.873 | $3.905 | $3.308 |
| Statewide | $3.581 | +8.9 | $3.806 | $3.949 | $3.241 |
| National | $3.612 | +8.9 | $3.876 | $3.971 | $3.194 |
| E-85 | $3.135 | +2.9 | - | - | $2.760 |
| *E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price | $4.126 | +3.9 | - | - | $3.632 |
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.