Phoenix, Ariz., May 20, 2009. Across the state and nation, pump prices continue to rebound as Memorial Day travelers prepare to hit the road to kick-off the first three day weekend of the summer. Statewide, motorists continue to pay the lowest average price in the nation, of $2.136 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, an increase of more than 12 cents from last week. Tucson drivers are again paying the least for fuel in the state, with an average of $2.060 per gallon, while Flagstaff drivers find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum at $2.258 per gallon. The nationwide average increased more than six pennies this week to $2.334 per gallon.
Arizona motorists are paying $1.473 less per gallon for fuel than they were last this time last year. To illustrate how current fuel prices compare to past Memorial Day weekends, below is a list of statewide fuel averages for Memorial Day weekend for the past five years:
Memorial Day |
Arizona Fuel Average |
Average Cost to Fill
15-Gallon Tank |
2009 |
$2.136 per gallon to date |
$32.04 |
2008 |
$3.649 per gallon |
$54.74 |
2007 |
$3.112 per gallon |
$46.68 |
2006 |
$3.066 per gallon |
$45.99 |
2005 |
$2.283 per gallon |
$34.25 |
2004 |
$2.152 per gallon |
$32.28 |
“Despite the recent rebound in fuel costs, prices remain 40 percent less than year-ago levels,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “In fact, the last time pump prices were this low heading into the first three-day weekend of the summer was in 2004 – a situation that 615,000 motorists will take advantage of this upcoming weekend.”
While motorists will spend considerably less on fuel this Memorial 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 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.
- Keep up on your vehicle maintenance. A simple measure such as keeping tires properly inflated can increase gas mileage by as much as two percent.
- Follow the speed limit. Driving any faster may get you where you want to go in less time, but it also means more trips to the gas pump. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower your fuel economy by 17 percent.
- Travel light. Less weight means better fuel economy. A heavier vehicle uses more gasoline.
The cheapest gasoline in the lower 48 states this week continues to be in Arizona. California motorists are continuing to pay the most for fuel in the country with an average of $2.577 per gallon.
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) |
$2.099 |
+14.1 |
$2.315 |
$2.192 |
$3.605 |
Flagstaff |
$2.258 |
+8.3 |
$2.490 |
$2.290 |
$3.703 |
Glendale |
$2.125 |
+15 |
$2.344 |
$2.213 |
$3.615 |
Peoria |
$2.102 |
+11.1 |
$2.319 |
$2.231 |
$3.615 |
Phoenix (city) |
$2.095 |
+14.2 |
$2.311 |
$2.218 |
$3.607 |
Pima County |
$2.068 |
+10.4 |
$2.280 |
$2.260 |
$3.520 |
Prescott(Tri-Cities) |
$2.101 |
+14.6 |
$2.317 |
$2.269 |
$3.592 |
Scottsdale(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$2.124 |
+12.6 |
$2.343 |
$2.315 |
$3.650 |
Tucson |
$2.060 |
+10.5 |
$2.272 |
$2.247 |
$3.513 |
Yuma |
$2.175 |
+14.3 |
$2.399 |
$2.190 |
$3.603 |
Statewide |
$2.136 |
+12.4 |
$2.356 |
$2.253 |
$3.609 |
National |
$2.334 |
+6.7 |
$2.566 |
$2.296 |
$3.800 |
E-85 |
$1.922 |
+3.2 |
N/A |
N/A |
$3.170 |
*E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$2.529 |
+4.2 |
N/A |
N/A |
$4.172 |
*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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