As Pump Prices Remain High, AAA Warns Against Fueling Up for Less in Mexico
Phoenix, Ariz., July 9, 2008 – Across the state, gasoline prices are beginning to resume pre-holiday stabilization after being tugged upward by last week’s Independence Day traffic. Statewide, drivers are currently paying $4.079 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, a drop of just under a penny from last week. Tucson drivers continue to hold on to the state’s lowest fuel price at $3.829 per gallon, while Flagstaff drivers are paying the most to fill their tanks at $4.241 per gallon. Nationwide, the current average is $4.108 per gallon, an increase of 1.6 cents from last week.
While Arizona fuel prices have calmed down from record territory, prices remaining above $4 per gallon across most of the state continue to strain many household budgets. Consequently, residents and visitors of southern Arizona have begun purchasing gasoline at lower prices in Mexico. While regular and diesel blends of fuel are considerably cheaper across the border, AAA would like to warn motorists that long-term purchase and use of Mexico fuel could harm their vehicles, as a result of its higher sulfur content.
“Refueling your vehicle on a return trip from Rocky Point is unlikely to damage your vehicle, however, prolonged use of Mexico fuel may cause harm to the engine’s emission control system,” said AAA Arizona Public Affairs Manager Linda Gorman. “While this one way some motorists are using to save, repair bills could end up costing them a lot more in the long-run.”
The cheapest gasoline in the continental United States is in South Carolina, where unleaded regular is $3.903 per gallon. California drivers are paying the most for fuel in the country at $4.552 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.
From now through September 30, drivers can also go to www.aaa.com/sweepstakes, visit a local AAA office or call 1.866.298.1232 to request a new insurance quote from AAA to receive a $10 gas card from AAA Insurance and be entered into the grand prize drawing of $20,000 in free gas. Those requesting a quote will also be entered into a monthly drawing to win $1,000 in free gas.
City |
Today’s Price |
Change from last week |
Premium
|
Diesel
|
Last Year’s Price |
East Valley
(Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Apache, Queen Creek) |
$4.077
|
-2.6 |
$4.497 |
$4.845* |
$2.819 |
Flagstaff |
$4.241 |
+2.3 |
$4.677 |
$4.929* |
$3.100 |
Glendale |
$4.108 |
-1.5 |
$4.531 |
$4.896* |
$2.839 |
Peoria |
$4.095 |
-2.5 |
$4.517 |
$4.896* |
$2.814 |
Phoenix (city) |
$4.108 |
-2.3 |
$4.531 |
$4.852* |
$2.833 |
Pima County |
$3.844 |
-0.3 |
$4.240 |
$4.791* |
$2.839 |
Prescott
(Tri-Cities) |
$4.073 |
-1.3 |
$4.493 |
$4.810 |
$2.972 |
Scottsdale
(Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) |
$4.186 |
-0.2 |
$4.617 |
$4.873 |
$2.914 |
Tucson |
$3.829 |
+0.5 |
$4.224 |
$4.779* |
$2.821 |
Yuma |
$4.045 |
-1.9 |
$4.462 |
$4.798* |
$2.852 |
Statewide |
$4.079
|
-0.8 |
$4.500 |
$4.855* |
$2.894 |
National |
$4.108 |
+1.6 |
$4.519 |
$4.813* |
$2.975 |
E-85 |
$3.321 |
-38.2 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
**E85 MPG/BTU adjusted price |
$4.370 |
-50.3 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
*Indicates record price.
**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. |
