Phoenix, Ariz., May 7, 2009. Despite experiencing a slight increase this week, Arizona motorists are currently paying the lowest prices at the pump nationwide. Arizona motorists are paying an average of $1.929 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, an increase of more than two cents from last week. East Valley drivers continue to pay the least amount of money for fuel in the state with an average of $1.840 per gallon, while Flagstaff drivers find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum at $2.122 per gallon. The nationwide average increased nine cents this week to an average of $2.141 per gallon.
This week, the price of crude oil climbed to the mid-$50 per barrel range. The commodity’s bump in prices can in part be attributed to this week’s report by the Department of Energy, which revealed gasoline stockpiles only increased by a third of what was expected. However, it is important to note that stockpiles of both fuel and crude remain at healthy levels as a result of continued demand suppression. In fact, crude inventories are currently sitting at a 19 year high.
“Despite the slight uptick in prices this week, Arizona motorists are now paying the lowest average price for fuel in the country,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “While concerns over the H1N1 virus appear to be waning and are unlikely to have a lingering affect on pump prices, we are fast approaching the switch to our summer blend of fuel and the start of the summer driving season, which is very likely to result in a modest influx in fuel costs.”
The cheapest gasoline in the lower 48 states this week is in Arizona. California motorists are continuing to pay the most for fuel in the country with an average of $2.391 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.
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) |
$1.840 |
+4.5 |
$2.029 |
$2.165 |
$3.417 |
Flagstaff |
$2.122 |
-1.5 |
$2.340 |
$2.263 |
$3.574 |
Glendale |
$1.861 |
+4.4 |
$2.052 |
$2.174 |
$3.421 |
Peoria |
$1.856 |
+3.6 |
$2.047 |
$2.179 |
$3.421 |
Phoenix (city) |
$1.842 |
+2.4 |
$2.032 |
$2.189 |
$3.415 |
Pima County |
$1.899 |
+2 |
$2.094 |
$2.216 |
$3.413 |
Prescott(Tri-Cities) |
$1.942 |
+0.4 |
$2.142 |
$2.203 |
$3.481 |
Scottsdale(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$1.876 |
+0.1 |
$2.069 |
$2.306 |
$3.482 |
Tucson |
$1.897 |
+2.3 |
$2.092 |
$2.205 |
$3.401 |
Yuma |
$1.984 |
+1.4 |
$2.188 |
$2.130 |
$3.513 |
Statewide |
$1.929 |
+2.2 |
$2.127 |
$2.202 |
$3.459 |
National |
$2.141 |
+9 |
$2.354 |
$2.259 |
$3.618 |
E-85 |
$1.820 |
+6.8 |
N/A |
N/A |
$3.166 |
*E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$2.396 |
+9.1 |
N/A |
N/A |
$4.167 |
*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.
NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data may be used on a daily basis by news media Web sites, but should include attribution to AAA.
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