Cave Creek gas prices spike at the pumps, also jump valleywide

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

Gas prices saw a huge increase this week, as prices at the pumps raised 18 cents a gallon this week to settle at $4.87 a gallon according to AAA Arizona on Friday.

“Typically, the start of autumn brings lower gas prices, but lingering volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of crude oil are driving up pump prices,” said David Caltabiano, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group in a release on Thursday. “This month is on track to set a new September record nationally. So far, the national average for this month is $4.30, higher than the previous September record of $3.83 set in 2023.”

Gas prices in the state jumped 15 cents to settle at $4.81 a gallon. That is up 27 cents a gallon from a month ago.

The national average is at $4.49 a gallon, which is up 3 cents over the past week and 40 cents higher than a month ago. At $4.49 per gallon, this is the highest the national average has ever been for this time of year.

Gas prices in Cave Creek were also on the rise this week. The cheapest gas in Cave Creek can be found at the Circle K at 6210 E. Cave Creek Road at $4.69 a gallon, up 12 cents from last week.  Another Circle K, located at 6802 E. Cave Creek Road has gas at $4.89 a gallon, a 22 cent jump from last week, and the Chevron at 5439 E. Carefree Highway has gas at $4.99 a gallon, which was flat. 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, crude oil rose $1.64 a barrel to settle at $92.16 per barrel. The Energy Information Association reports that U.S. crude oil inventories increased 3 million barrels to 426.4 million barrels, 2% above the five-year average.

Gasoline demand increased last week from 8.79 million barrels per day to 8.84 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 207.7 million barrels to 206 million. Gasoline production decreased slightly from 9.64 million barrels to 9.59 million.

Arizona, despite the jump, fell to 10th in the most expensive markets in the nation. Arizona sits behind California ($6.23), Hawaii ($5.57), Washington ($5.54), Nevada ($5.36), Oregon ($5.09), Alaska ($5.06), Idaho ($5.00), Utah ($4.98) and Illinois ($4.85).

According to gasbuddy.com, the cheapest gas in the Valley can be found at the Sam’s Club at Interstate 10 and Dysart Road in Avondale for $4.09 a gallon.

Jeff Wendt
Reporter | Phoenix/Cave Creek

jwendt@iniusa.org

Meet Jeff
Jeff Wendt started at Independent Newsmedia in January 2023, after 25 years working for Gannett and The Arizona Republic. Started as a high school sports scoretaker, worked up to reporting high school sports and then became an associate high school sports editor in 2002. Also worked in the Design Studio as a copy editor.

Community: Jeff serves on the Board of Elders at his local church.

Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication

Random fact: Attended Game 2 of the 2001 World Series.

Hobbies: Playing video games (yes still the kid in me), watching reality TV, playing poker.