Arizona Sheds 16 Cents off Average Gas Price for Second Week in a Row

Article originally posted on AZ Central on June 30, 2023

With an estimated 43.2 million drivers expected to hit the open road for the Fourth of July, according to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas registered a four-cent decrease since last week, bringing the total average to $3.54 — just 40 cents less than the Arizona average.

AAA’s total projection of 50.7 million Americans opting to travel over the holiday weekend is a 2.1 million increase from 2022 and surpasses the 2019 Independence Day Weekend record estimation of 49 million travelers. For the expected 43 million choosing to travel good old American roads, that number is a 2.4% increase from 2022 and 4% higher than 2019, according to AAA data.

Here’s what you need to know heading into the holiday weekend:

Arizona sees largest price decrease in the nation

Following a grueling spring into summer, folks around the Grand Canyon state continue to see pump prices fall, with its statewide average price at the pump now dropping to $3.92.

Sporting another 16-cent decrease since last week, Arizona once again took the crown for having the country’s largest decrease in their state average. The current national average of $3.54 is around $1.32 less than this time last year, with AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross adding that it’s still a steep cost compared to historical averages.

“The previous record average high price for gas on July Fourth was $4.10 in 2008, while the low was $1.39 in 2001,” Gross said in a AAA release Thursday. “Yet despite currently elevated prices, drivers are not cutting back on travel this summer.”

New data released by the Energy Information Administration, as cited by AAA, showed a slight decrease in gas demand since last week, falling from 9.38 million barrels per day to 9.31 million. Total domestic gasoline stocks rose, however, to the tune of 600,000 barrels of crude oil, now resting at 220 million.

“Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has helped to limit pump price increases. If demand remains low, pump prices will likely continue to decline through next week,” AAA said.

The Copper State still ranks among the most expensive in the nation as well, but that too has taken a tumble, as Arizona is now in tenth place behind the likes of:

Washington ($4.98)
California ($4.82)
Hawaii ($4.72)
Oregon ($4.63)
Alaska ($4.28)
Nevada ($4.20)
Utah & Idaho ($3.97)
Illinois ($3.93)

County-by-county breakdown

With a continuously declining state average, pump prices across Arizona counties are obviously following suit.

As it stands, only two counties are paying north of $4 on average for a gallon of gas — Maricopa and Coconino — the latter of which still holds firm at its $4.01 average.

For those asking: yes, Maricopa is still the most expensive place in the state to fill up, but the county did see a healthy drop in its average from last week, shedding around 18 cents for a total of $4.04.

Even with a measly one-cent drop since the week prior, Graham County remains the best option for gas in Arizona at $3.26.

The only one to add to their average was Apache County, tacking on 4 more cents for a $3.80 average.

The rest of the 48th state looks like this:

Maricopa: $4.04 (-0.18)
Coconino: $4.01
Santa Cruz: $3.95 (-0.06)
Yavapai: $3.94 (-0.05)
Mohave: $3.92 (-0.01)
Navajo: $3.89 (-0.01)
La Paz: $3.83 (-0.05)
Yuma: $3.82 (-0.03)
Pinal: $3.81 (-0.13)
Apache: $3.80 (+0.04)
Pima: $3.72 (-0.15)
Gila: $3.59 (-0.06)
Cochise: $3.55 (-0.03)
Greenlee: $3.29 (-0.09)
Graham: $3.26 (-0.01)