PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The average price of gas in Arizona is $4.55 a gallon according to AAA, up nearly 10 cents in the last week. A year ago, the average price was $3.36 a gallon.
Maricopa County prices average $4.70; not expected to reach $5
In Maricopa County, data from AAA shows prices are averaging around $4.70 a gallon.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says demand for gas usually declines this time of year as summer wraps up. He said prices have not started dropping because of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
“Right now, we still are caught up with the geopolitical tensions, the U.S. and Iran and Ukraine and Russia situations, both still impacting gas prices. And, of course, hurricane season,” he explained.
De Haan said it’s hard to know exactly what will happen in the next few weeks. However, he does not expect Arizona’s average gas price to reach $5 a gallon.
“I don’t think we’ll see average prices eclipse that $5 a gallon mark. I mean, it could happen, but I just don’t see any factors today that exist to push prices to that level. However, if there are refining issues, if there are further escalation, that remains a possibility. But I think for now, where we stand, that’s probably off the table,” De Haan explained.
Winter gas blend could offer some relief
De Haan said a switch to winter gasoline could bring some relief at the pump.
“The Trump administration last week announced that they’re allowing the switch back to cheaper winter gasoline earlier than normal by about three weeks. Arizona does have its own requirements, so it’s hard to know what Arizona is going to do if they’re going to allow the rollback to cheaper winter gasoline earlier or not,” he explained.
De Haan says the switch will not bring huge relief, potentially dropping prices by 5 to 10 cents. He said where prices go depends on two factors: the U.S.-Iran conflict and the Ukraine-Russia war.
“I think we’ll probably stay above $4, but below $5. But by the end of the year, if things suddenly start to improve, we could get closer to that $4 mark. But I think we’ll kind of be stuck in this $4 range for gasoline,” he said.
Arizona ranks in the top 10 of states with the most expensive gas. Indiana has the cheapest gas in the country.
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