Gas prices this weekend in  East Valley communities and Phoenix averaged $5 for a gallon of regular, the latest AAA Arizona figures show.

The average in the East Valley is now $5.02, up from $4.84 last week.

Phoenix and Mesa, which AAA Arizona calculates  together,  have pump  prices averaging $5 even, while those filling up in Scottsdale, which is surveyed separately,  are paying $5.09. Scottsdale prices broke the $5 mark last weekend.

Arizona led the nation  in rising gas prices over the last week, seeing an average increae of 16 cents a gallon. It is behind California and Hawaii  for being among the most expensive states to fill up, AAA officials said

There may be good news on the horizon.

"The recent surge in oil costs took a break this week, with the price of oil tumbling back into the upper $70s per barrel," AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said.

"If this oil price trend continues, drivers may see falling gas prices."