Motorists Claim Pump Prices Have Pushed Them to Breaking Point
Phoenix, Ariz., April 3, 2008 – Across the state, motorists report they are curbing their fuel consumption as prices continue their record run, according to AAA Arizona. In a recent AAA Arizona online poll, located at www.AAAAZ.com, the auto club recently asked motorists what their price breaking point was for reducing or changing their driving habits.
While an overwhelming number of respondents admitted to already curbing their fuel consumption, one-fifth of motorists said that they would not change their driving habits no matter the price of gasoline. Of the 481 people that have responded so far, here is what the poll revealed:
- 59 percent said they had already changed their driving habits (this number includes those respondents who claimed they would curb consumption if prices reached $3.25 per gallon).
- 20 percent said they had no breaking point and would drive no matter the price of fuel.
- 12 percent said they would change their driving habits if fuel prices reached $4.00 per gallon.
- 6 percent said they would change their driving habits if fuel prices reached $3.50 per gallon.
- 2 percent of respondents indicated another response.
Today, prices reached another all-time statewide record average of $3.258, an increase of just under two pennies since this time last week and nearly 43 cents higher since this time last year. The current nationwide average is $3.289, an increase of just over two cents since last week.
This week, the Department of Energy reported a drop in gasoline supplies and a healthy increase in crude inventories. Despite healthy crude supplies, oil continues to trade above $100 a barrel.
“What we are seeing now is a disconnect between market forces and prices,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs manager for AAA Arizona. “As our poll indicates, an overwhelming number of motorists are already curbing their fuel consumption, and the government has reported a drop in gasoline demand over the last several weeks. This further illustrates that the market is being driven by external forces as opposed to demand for gasoline.”
The cheapest gasoline in the continental United States is in New Jersey, where unleaded regular is $3.044 per gallon. California drivers continue to pay the most for fuel in the country at $3.663 per gallon. Motorists can visit www.AAAAZ.com/news for the latest fuel price information and gas saving tips and go to www.AAA.com/fuelfinder to locate the station with the cheapest gas in their neighborhood or along their commute route. 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. AAA members who use their AAA Visa credit card can get a rebate of up to five percent on gasoline purchases made at the pump. Members can also flash their AAA membership card to save at over 100 of the auto club’s Show Your Card & Save partners.
City |
Today’s Price |
Change from last week |
Premium |
Diesel |
Last Year’s Price |
Phoenix (city ) |
$3.224 |
+1.8 |
$3.556 |
$3.960 |
$2.809 |
East Valley
(Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Apache, Queen Creek) |
$3.207 |
+2.1 |
$3.538 |
$3.976 |
$2.804 |
Glendale |
$3.216 |
+0.4 |
$3.547 |
$3.987 |
$2.817 |
Peoria |
$3.209 |
+1.5 |
$3.540 |
$3.946 |
$2.805 |
Scottsdale
(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$3.307 |
+4.0 |
$3.648 |
$3.984 |
$2.880 |
Tucson |
$3.158 |
+2.1 |
$3.483 |
$3.941 |
$2.722 |
Prescott
(Tri-Cities) |
$3.281 |
+1.6 |
$3.619 |
$3.989 |
$2.795 |
Pima County |
$3.170 |
+1.8 |
$3.497 |
$3.955 |
$2.737 |
Flagstaff |
$3.383 |
+2.7 |
$3.731 |
$4.070 |
$2.876 |
Yuma |
$3.264 |
+1.1 |
$3.600 |
$3.860 |
$2.792 |
Statewide |
$3.258 |
+1.9 |
$3.593 |
$3.986 |
$2.830 |
National |
$3.289 |
+2.2 |
$3.619 |
$4.023 |
$2.700 |
E-85 |
$2.710 |
+3.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
**E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$3.566 |
+4.6 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
**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. |
