Gas prices drop for the fourth straight week in the Valley, Cave Creek

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

Drivers are getting some relief at the gas pumps as prices dropped for the fourth consecutive week, falling 13 cents a gallon to settle at $4.28 a gallon according to a news release from AAA Arizona.

While the price per gallon has dropped 48 cents in the last month, prices are still 70 cents a gallon higher than a year ago at this time.

Gas prices have been trending downward as crude oil prices have dipped into the high $80 to low $90 per barrel range. However, pump prices remain the highest they’ve ever been during this time of year.

“Before 2026, the national average had never gone above $4 per gallon during the month of November,” said David Caltabiano, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group in the release. “Currently, the national average is more than one dollar higher than it was a year ago. ”

The national average sits at $4.06 a gallon, 14 cents a gallon lower this week.

The state average is at $4.32 a gallon, which is down 12 cents a gallon from last week, and down 41 cents a gallon from a month ago at this time.

In Cave Creek, the cheapest gas can be found at the Circle K at 6210 E. Cave Creek Road at $4.19 a gallon, down 5 cents from last week. The Circle K at 6802 E. Cave Creek Road sits at $4.29 a gallon, also down 5 cents, while the Chevron at 5439 E. Carefree Highway is at $4.49 a gallon, which dropped 20 cents a gallon from a week ago.

Wednesday’s formal trading session, crude oil fell $7.97 a barrel to settle at $88.12 per barrel. The Energy Information Administration reports that U.S. crude oil inventories decreased 0.9 million barrels to 409.8 million barrels, 4% below the five-year average.

Gasoline demand increased last week from 8.35 million barrels per day to 8.80 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased slightly from 209.2 million barrels to 209 million. Gasoline production increased from 9.24 million barrels per day to 9.70 million barrels.

Arizona remains off the Top 10 list of most expensive gas markets in the nation. The Top 10 includes California ($5.83), Hawaii ($5.64), Nevada ($5.18), Washington ($5.12), Oregon ($4.73), Alaska ($4.71), Illinois ($4.60), Utah ($4.49), Idaho ($4.44), and Pennsylvania ($4.40).

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

• The Costco at 101st Avenue and McDowell Road in Avondale

• The Costco at the Interstate 10 and Verrado Way in Avondale

• The Costco at the Loop 303 and Waddell Road in Surprise

All three locations have gas for $3.79 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.