Phoenix, Ariz., July 1, 2010. For the second straight week, gas prices are on the rise as motorists prepare to take the roads for the second holiday weekend of the summer. Statewide, today’s fuel price is $2.784 per gallon, an increase of three cents from last week. Nationwide, prices are relatively unchanged this week at $2.754 per gallon.
Arizona motorists are currently paying 13.6 cents more per gallon for fuel than they were this time last year. To illustrate how current prices compare to past Fourth of July weekends, below is a list of state fuel averages leading up to Independence Day over the past several years:
Fourth of July |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
Ariz. fuel average
(per gallon) |
$2.784 |
$2.648 |
$4.081 |
$2.960 |
$2.893 |
Cost to fill
15-gallon tank |
$41.76 |
$39.72 |
$61.21 |
$44.40 |
$43.39 |
“Despite a five percent increase compared to last year, current pump prices remain one of the lowest pre-Independence day fuel prices Arizonans have experienced in the last five years,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “This is a situation that nearly 759,000 Arizonans will take advantage of this weekend.”
Statewide, Tucson and Flagstaff hold the low and high fuel averages at $2.592 and $2.962, respectively. In the lower 48 states, South Carolina and California hold these extremes at $2.520 and $3.151, respectively.
To help Fourth of July road warriors maximize their travel budgets, the auto club would like to offer the following fuel-saving tips:
- 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 ahead, using your vehicle’s make, model and year through AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.fuelcostcalculator.com.
- Plan your route in advance. AAA’s TripTik© Travel Planner and iPhone app allow motorists to find the cheapest fuel stations along their travel route, AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, lodgings, restaurants and more.
- Ensure your vehicle is road ready. Get a pre-trip vehicle check at one of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair or Club-Owned facilities before leaving home. The check should include major vehicle components such as tires, belts, hoses, battery and windshield wipers.
- Travel light. Less weight means better fuel economy. A heavier vehicle uses more gasoline.
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) |
$2.766 |
+5.7 |
$3.050 |
$2.932 |
$2.656 |
Flagstaff |
$2.962 |
+1.9 |
$3.266 |
$3.074 |
$2.755 |
Glendale |
$2.797 |
+4.2 |
$3.085 |
$2.977 |
$2.681 |
Peoria |
$2.766 |
+3.0 |
$3.051 |
$2.987 |
$2.677 |
Phoenix (city) |
$2.777 |
+3.8 |
$3.063 |
$2.955 |
$2.672 |
Pima County |
$2.616 |
-0.5 |
$2.886 |
$2.959 |
$2.493 |
Prescott
(Tri-Cities) |
$2.796 |
+0.9 |
$3.084 |
$3.002 |
$2.604 |
Scottsdale
(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$2.854 |
+2.5 |
$3.148 |
$3.060 |
$2.737 |
Tucson |
$2.592 |
-0.4 |
$2.858 |
$2.945 |
$2.483 |
Yuma |
$2.770 |
+2.5 |
$3.056 |
$2.836 |
$2.591 |
Statewide |
$2.784 |
+3.0 |
$3.071 |
$2.987 |
$2.648 |
National |
$2.754 |
+0.1 |
$3.029 |
$2.983 |
$2.630 |
E-85 |
$2.193 |
-1.1 |
- |
- |
$2.141 |
*E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$2.886 |
-1.5 |
- |
- |
$2.817 |
*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. The BTU-adjusted price 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.
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