Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2009. Across the state, pump price relief has come to an end as the price of fuel reverses course. However, despite this trend reversal, Arizona fuel prices are among the lowest in the nation. Statewide, the current fuel average is $2.441 per gallon, an increase of a little more than a penny from last week. New Jersey is the only state that holds lesser statewide averages at $2.438 per gallon. Today’s nationwide average sits at $2.616 per gallon, an increase of nearly 13 cents from last week.

This week, the price of crude oil surpassed the $80 per barrel threshold, marking a new price high for the commodity this year. The driving factor behind this jump in market price is a combination of dollar weakness and prospects which point to global economic recovery. The commodity is currently trading in the low $80 per barrel range. 

“Economic optimism and dollar weakness can only take oil prices so far, so fast, especially considering that demand for most petroleum products remains soft and supplies healthy,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “Should crude’s current rally continue, motorists will likely experience an uptick in pump prices. However, should the commodity’s price level off or recede, fuel prices will likely do the same.”

In Arizona, Tucson drivers continue to pay the least for fuel in the state with an average of $2.222 per gallon, while Flagstaff motorists continue to pay the most to fill their tanks with an average fuel price of $2.677 per gallon. Nationwide, New Jersey motorists are paying the nation’s lowest fuel price with an average of $2.438 per gallon, while California motorists continue to pay the most for fuel in the lower 48 states with an average of $3.002 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.