Phoenix, Ariz., April 16, 2009. Across the state and country, motorists are continuing to experience pump price stabilization as the price of fuel remains relatively unchanged from last week. Statewide, motorists are paying an average of $1.918 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, a decrease of one cent from last week. East Valley drivers are paying the state’s lowest fuel price for the second consecutive week, with an average of $1.826 per gallon. Flagstaff drivers continue to pay the state’s highest price with an average of $2.137 per gallon. The nationwide average is currently $2.052 per gallon, an increase of one-tenth of a cent from last week.

This week, the Department of Energy issued a report which reflects the impact the down economy has had, and will continue to have, on oil and gasoline prices. According to the agency, nationwide prices at the pump from April through September will average $2.230 per gallon, down $1.600 per gallon from the same period in 2008, while diesel fuel will average $2.270 per gallon, a significant drop from the $4.300 range average that motorists experienced in spring-summer 2008.

“While an unforeseen circumstance could result in a late spring pump price rally, it is unlikely given current market factors,” said Linda Gorman, director of public affairs for AAA Arizona. “Continued unease over the direction of the global economy, weak consumer spending, healthy oil and gasoline stockpiles, as well as the fact that motorists continue to drive less than they have in previous years, are all factors that will help keep the typical spring and summer upswing in pump prices minimal.”

The cheapest gasoline in the lower 48 states can be found in Missouri, where unleaded regular is $1.904 per gallon. California motorists are continuing to pay the most for fuel in the country with an average of $2.341 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.

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NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data may be used on a daily basis by news media Web sites, but should include attribution to AAA.