Cave Creek, Valley gas prices drop sharply this week

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

Gas prices took a sharp downward turn this week, with prices falling 23 cents to land at $4.05 a gallon , according to AAA Arizona on Friday.

Prices are down 65 cents a gallon in the Valley during the past month, and nearing levels from a year ago, which was 49 cents a gallon higher.

“Drivers may notice the trend of declining gas prices, which is normal for this time of year,” said David Caltabiano, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group in a release. “But so far, this month is the most expensive November on record for gas prices.”

For the first time since July, the national average has fallen below $4 a gallon, which sits at $3.87 a gallon, down 19 cents a gallon from a week ago. The national average is still 80 cents a gallon higher than a year ago at this time.

The state average sits at $4.11 a gallon, which is also down 21 cents a gallon over the past week, and down 58 cents a gallon from a month ago, but still 75 cents a gallon higher than a year ago.

In Cave Creek, the cheapest gas can be found at the Circle K at 6210 E. Cave Creek Road at $3.99 a gallon, down 20 cents from last week. The Circle K at 6802 E. Cave Creek Road sits at $4.09 a gallon, also down 20 cents, while the Chevron at 5439 E. Carefree Highway is at $4.19 a gallon, which dropped 30 cents a gallon from a week ago.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, crude oil rose 49 cents to settle at $86.53 per barrel. The Energy Information Administration reports that U.S. crude oil inventories increased 4.7 million barrels to 414.4 million barrels, 4% below the five-year average.

Gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.80 million barrels per day to 8.76 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 209 million barrels to 210.8 million. Gasoline production decreased from 9.70 million barrels per day to 9.62 million barrels.

Arizona is not among the Top 10 most expensive gas markets in the nation. The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($5.63), California ($5.63), Nevada ($4.96), Washington ($4.90), Oregon ($4.53), Alaska ($4.50), Illinois ($4.32), Pennsylvania ($4.29), Utah ($4.22), and Washington, D.C.($4.20).

In the Valley, according to gasbuddy.com, the cheapest gas can be found at four locations:

• Costco at Market Street and Pecos Road in Gilbert

• Sam’s Club at Bell Road and Loop 303 in Surprise

• Costco at Ellsworth Road and Queen Creek Road in Queen Creek

• 76 and Shell at 35th Avenue and Glendale Road in Phoenix.

All stations have gas priced at $3.59 a gallon.

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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.