After a slight increase last week, gas prices took a sharp upward turn this week as prices jumped 33 cents to land at $4.13 a gallon on average around the Valley, AAA Arizona said in a release late on the afternoon of July 16 — and Chandler-area pumps reflect that jump.

“Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump,” said Aldo Vazquez, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group in the release. “Crude oil prices have risen toward $80 per barrel, and those prices play a significant role in the prices consumers pay.”

The state average also rose significantly, with prices jumping 25 cents to $4.16 per gallon. The national average sits at $3.98, up 10 cents a gallon from last week.

In Chandler, the 76 station at 2025 E. Chandler Blvd. was at $3.97 for 87 octane regular, as of July 16, according to gasbuddy.com. That was one of the lowest non-club prices in the area,  with the 76 station at 777 W. Ray Road in a distant second place among non-club stations in Chandler at $4.07.

That Ray Road 76 station was at $3.67 as recently as July 10, according to gasbuddy.

Crude oil rose 26 cents a barrel at the close of Wednesday’s trading session to settle at $79.60 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels from the previous week.

At 409.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Gasoline demand remained flat last week at 8.84 million barrels per day. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 212.1 million barrels to 210.5 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.

Arizona rejoined the top 10 in most expensive gasoline markets, landing at a tie for seventh, behind Hawaii ($5.43), California ($5.40), Washington ($4.98), Alaska ($4.67), Nevada ($4.55), Oregon ($4.51) and Illinois ($4.12).

According to gasbuddy.com there are four places in the Valley with the cheapest gas: Sam’s Club in Gilbert at Gilbert Road and Houston Avenue, Sam’s Club at the Tempe Marketplace, the 76 located at 35th Avenue and Glendale in Phoenix, and the 76 at Val Vista Road and Ray Road, in Gilbert, all at $3.49 a gallon.

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