Phoenix, Ariz., July 2, 2009.  Across the state and country, motorists preparing to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July weekend can also celebrate lower prices at the pump. Statewide, motorists are currently paying an average of $2.640 per gallon, a drop of 2.5 cents from last week. Today’s nationwide average is $2.629 per gallon, a drop of nearly four cents from last week.  

Arizona motorists are paying $1.45 less per gallon for fuel heading into the holiday weekend, compared to Arizona’s all-time high fuel price of $4.090, which was established July 3, 2008. To illustrate how current fuel prices compare to past Fourth of July holiday weekends, below is a list of statewide fuel averages for the week leading up to Independence Day for the past five years:

“Arizonans filling their tanks prior to leaving town for the upcoming holiday weekend will spend about 35 percent less on fuel than they did this time last year, when we were experiencing all-time high fuel prices throughout the state,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “This is a situation that 585,000 Arizona motorists will take advantage of this holiday weekend.”

While motorists will spend considerably less on fuel this Independence Day than last year, AAA Arizona understands that travelers are still looking to maximize their travel budgets. As a result, AAA Arizona would like to offer the following fuel-saving tips to Fourth of July holiday travelers:

• Keep your eyes open for low fuel prices, but do not waste gas driving to a distant station to save a few cents.  For the cheapest gas in your neighborhood, utilize AAA’s Fuel Price Finder at www.aaa.com/fuelfinder.
  
  
• Budget your fuel costs in advance, using your vehicle’s make, model and year through AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.fuelcostcalculator.com. 
  
  
• Plan your route in advance and avoid congested roadways AAA’s TripTik© Travel Planner at www.aaa.com/triptik. This tool allows motorists to find the cheapest fuel stations along their travel route in addition to AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, lodgings, restaurants and more. The TripTik also has a new feature which can help motorists avoid routes that are prone to holiday congestion.
  
  
• Ensure your vehicle is road ready. Get a pre-trip vehicle check before leaving home. The check should include major vehicle components such as tires, belts, hoses, battery and windshield wipers.
  
  
• Travel light. Less weight means better fuel economy. A heavier vehicle uses more gasoline.

In Arizona, Tucson drivers continue to pay the least for fuel in the state at $2.478 per gallon, while Flagstaff motorists continue to pay the most to fill their tanks at $2.757 per gallon. Nationwide, Missouri continues to hold on to the nation’s lowest fuel price with an average of $2.421. California motorists are paying the most for fuel in the lower 48 states with an average of $2.985 per gallon.

Motorists can visit www.AAAAZ.com/news/fuelnews.htm for fuel price information and gas saving tips or go to www.AAA.com/fuelfinder to locate the station with the cheapest gas in their neighborhood. They can also visit AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.fuelcostcalculator.com, which can help drivers plan out their fuel costs so they can budget their travel expenses in advance.

*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 - and hence miles per gallon - available in a gallon of E-85 as compared to the same volume of conventional gasoline. The BTU-adjusted price calculated by OPIS and AAA is not an actual retail average price paid by consumers. It 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 Arizona’s Weekly Fuel Gauge includes data from gasoline stations in every Arizona community. However, only major metropolitan areas are shown in the table above.  Local prices in some communities might be higher or lower than the averages shown here.