Phoenix, Ariz., April 2, 2009. Arizonans boasting about the state’s beautiful spring weather can also boast about state pump prices, which have continued to stabilize and settle to be among the lowest in the country. Currently, residents in only eight states are paying less for fuel than Arizonans.  Statewide, motorists are paying an average of $1.939 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, a slight increase of less than one half cent from last week. Tucson drivers continue to pay the state’s lowest fuel price with an average of $1.824 per gallon, while Flagstaff drivers continue to pay the state’s highest price with an average of $2.148 per gallon. The nationwide average continued to inch upward this week to $2.045, an increase of nearly four cents from last week.

This week, growing concerns over the health of the global economy pushed the price of crude oil down from last week’s unanticipated rally, which had resulted in a four-month high trading price above $50 per barrel. The commodity’s downward movement this week has helped move gasoline futures lower, which has resulted in price stabilization across many parts of the country. In addition, crude inventories have continued to build despite both OPEC and domestic oil producers slowing production. In fact, the government recently reported that crude storage facilities were as full as they have been in 16 years.

“Arizona fuel prices have remained stable over the last week as a result of calmed crude prices as well as a significant drop in fuel consumption in California, which has resulted in additional gasoline supplies being made available for Arizona motorists,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “Consequently, Arizona has some of the cheapest fuel prices in the country, with 42 states, including the District of Columbia, holding fuel prices above our statewide average. Should current market factors remain, this is a trend that is likely to continue as we head further into spring.” 

The cheapest gasoline in the lower 48 states can be found in Wyoming, where unleaded regular is $1.859 per gallon. California motorists are continuing to pay the most for fuel in the country with an average of $2.268 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.