State Fuel Price Experiences First Drop in 2010
Phoenix, Ariz., February 4, 2010. Arizona motorists are spending a little less to fill their tanks this week, as the state average for fuel recedes for the first time this year. Statewide, the current average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.653, a drop of two cents from last week. Today’s nationwide average is $2.659 per gallon, a drop of three cents from last week.
This week, the Department of Energy reported a drop in gasoline stockpiles, as refiners across the country trim production in an attempt to manage excess supply. However, as a result of fuel demand remaining at a 2004 low, the price of crude oil continued to stabilize, enabling retail prices across many parts of the country, including Arizona, to recede this week.
“As a result of crude prices continuing to remain stable, retail fuel prices are finally reflecting the correction in oil prices from the start of the year,” said AAA Arizona Public Affairs Director Linda Gorman. “While current market factors do not support a significant price shift in either direction, they do support the current downward trend we experienced this week, which is likely to continue in the short-term.”
In Arizona, Tucson drivers are paying the state’s lowest fuel price with an average of $2.528, while Flagstaff motorists are paying the state’s highest fuel price with an average of $2.795 per gallon. Nationwide, motorists in Missouri are paying the nation’s lowest fuel price with an average of $2.431 per gallon, while California motorists continue to pay the most for fuel in the lower 48 states with an average of $2.983 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 www.fuelcostcalculator.com, which can help drivers plan out their fuel costs so they can budget their travel expenses in advance.
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) |
$2.606 |
-3.5 |
$2.874 |
$2.824 |
$1.899 |
Flagstaff |
$2.795 |
+0.1 |
$3.082 |
$2.966 |
$2.046 |
Glendale |
$2.627 |
-1.4 |
$2.898 |
$2.876 |
$1.890 |
Peoria |
$2.592 |
-3.7 |
$2.859 |
$2.865 |
$1.888 |
Phoenix (city) |
$2.624 |
-2.7 |
$2.894 |
$2.860 |
$1.908 |
Pima County |
$2.544 |
-4.0 |
$2.806 |
$2.903 |
$1.882 |
Prescott
(Tri-Cities) |
$2.676 |
-0.5 |
$2.951 |
$2.916 |
$1.905 |
Scottsdale
(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$2.704 |
-2.4 |
$2.983 |
$2.968 |
$1.949 |
Tucson |
$2.528 |
-4.4 |
$2.789 |
$2.873 |
$1.875 |
Yuma |
$2.675 |
-4.6 |
$2.951 |
$2.712 |
$1.953 |
Statewide |
$2.653 |
-2.1 |
$2.926 |
$2.885 |
$1.943 |
National |
$2.659 |
-3.1 |
$2.925 |
$2.852 |
$1.900 |
E-85 |
$2.425 |
+11.8 |
- |
- |
$1.633 |
*E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$3.191 |
+15.4 |
- |
- |
$2.149 |
*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 should include attribution to AAA. |
