Gas prices up 11 cents over previous week

By Jeff Wendt
Mail

Gas prices have risen 11 cents in the Valley over the past week, averaging $3.41 a gallon, up from $3.30 last week.

“Pump prices are expected to start their seasonal climb soon, as spring approaches and summer-blend gasoline production begins,” said Julian Paredes, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are another factor that could drive up crude oil prices.”

The national average is at $2.92 a gallon, the lowest they have been for this time of year since 2021.

Apache Junction and Sun City have the cheapest gas at $2.89 a gallon, according to gasbuddy.com. The highest prices are in Litchfield Park ($3.49), Carefree and Cave Creek ($3.39), and San Tan Valley ($3.36).

“I’d say another regional factor is California refineries,” Paredes said. “Phoenix and the upper half of Arizona gets gas from Southern California refineries. Around late February-early March (refineries don’t tell us exactly when), some refineries go down for maintenance ahead of summer and also switch to summer blend of gas.

“This temporarily disrupts gas supply and leads to a short spike in prices,” Paredes added. “This happens every year. I don’t know for sure that this is the main factor driving up gas prices, but the timing works out. California gas prices have been on the rise as well at the same time.”

Lowest prices per gallon in each city were:

• Ahwatukee, $3.29

• Apache Junction, $2.89

• Avondale, $2.99

• Buckeye, $3.09

• Carefree, $3.39

• Cave Creek, $3.39

• Chandler, $2.99

• El Mirage, $3.15

• Fountain Hills, $3.29

• Gilbert, $2.90

• Glendale, $2.94

• Goodyear, $3.19

• Litchfield Park. $3.49

• Mesa, $2.99

• Paradise Valley, $3.19

• Peoria $2.93

• Queen Creek, $2.99

• San Tan Valley, $3.36

• Scottsdale, $3.03

• Sun City, $2.89

• Sun City West, $3.29

• Surprise, $3.07

• Tempe, $2.90

• Tolleson $3.29

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.