Phoenix, Ariz., November 12, 2009. For the fourth straight week, Arizona motorists are spending more to fill their tanks. However, this month-long climb in fuel prices could be nearing its end as the market begins to show signs of stabilization. Statewide, the current fuel average is $2.588 per gallon, an increase of 1.6 cents from last week and a total of 16.6 cents higher than last month. Today’s nationwide average sits at $2.650 per gallon, a drop of 3.2 cents from last week.
This week, the woes of the US dollar helped sustain the price of crude oil in the high $70 per barrel range. However, aside from the impact that dollar weakness has had on the market, there doesn’t seem to be much else behind the elevated price of the commodity.
“Fundamentals for the elevated cost of crude oil remain weak, as supplies remain vast and demand – though expected to improve in the near future – remains very low,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “Looking ahead, supply and demand should moderate the affect that dollar weakness has on oil prices and prevent a spike in the price of the commodity and therefore fuel prices in the short term, barring unforeseen circumstances.”
In Arizona, Tucson drivers continue to pay the least for fuel in the state with an average of $2.394 per gallon, while Flagstaff motorists continue to pay the most to fill their tanks with an average fuel price of $2.755 per gallon. Nationwide, Missouri motorists are paying the nation’s lowest fuel price with an average of $2.461 per gallon, while California motorists continue to pay the most for fuel in the lower 48 states with an average of $2.976 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.
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) |
$2.584 |
+0.7 |
$2.850 |
$2.811 |
$2.352 |
Flagstaff |
$2.755 |
+0.4 |
$3.038 |
$2.881 |
$2.704 |
Glendale |
$2.603 |
+1.1 |
$2.872 |
$2.854 |
$2.388 |
Peoria |
$2.591 |
-0.1 |
$2.858 |
$2.816 |
$2.366 |
Phoenix (city) |
$2.591 |
+1.4 |
$2.858 |
$2.828 |
$2.380 |
Pima County |
$2.400 |
+2.9 |
$2.647 |
$2.816 |
$2.335 |
Prescott
(Tri-Cities) |
$2.582 |
+1.5 |
$2.848 |
$2.822 |
$2.389 |
Scottsdale
(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$2.665 |
+1.3 |
$2.940 |
$2.900 |
$2.460 |
Tucson |
$2.394 |
+3.5 |
$2.641 |
$2.802 |
$2.315 |
Yuma |
$2.682 |
+5.8 |
$2.958 |
$2.776 |
$2.456 |
Statewide |
$2.588
|
+1.6 |
$2.854 |
$2.837 |
$2.424 |
National |
$2.650 |
-3.2 |
$2.915 |
$2.828 |
$2.202 |
E-85 |
$2.231 |
-0.8 |
N/A |
N/A |
$1.792 |
*E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$2.936 |
-1.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
$2.358 |
*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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