Metro Phoenix gas hits $5 a gallon as prices spike throughout Arizona

Pulling up to the gas pump and watching the total soar higher as each gallon flows into the tank is a phenomenon most Valley residents have become all too familiar with in recent months. Gas prices in the Valley officially hit $5 on Wednesday, a benchmark indicator of the state's trend of rising gas prices.

The average price for one gallon of regular fuel in Scottsdale was $5.05 as of Wednesday, according to AAA data. The East Valley followed suit with an average of $5 per gallon, trailed closely by Glendale at $4.99 and Phoenix-Mesa at $4.96.

What do these averages have in common? All of them have risen since this time last week and have grown incrementally from one month ago.

Arizona had an average price of $4.66 per gallon of regular fuel as of Wednesday, according to AAA data. That total grew by 18 cents compared to last week's average and is up by 69 cents from last month's average.

The state currently boasts the second most expensive gas prices in the nation, towering above the national average by just short of a dollar, according to AAA data. Arizona falls short of the "most expensive gas in the nation" title thanks to California, with a difference of 25 cents per gallon as of Wednesday.

Why are gas prices so high in Arizona?

Fingers can be pointed at the high cost of crude oil, gasoline's main ingredient, which is the primary determinant for the price consumers pay at the pump, AAA said.

The price of crude oil currently hovers in the low $80s per barrel, a metric that AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said puts a lot of upward pressure on gas prices.

"As long as oil costs remain at the current level, drivers will likely see incremental price increases for now," Gross said.

Arizonans are not alone in the trend of rising gas prices, as the national averages have risen daily since March 29 thanks to tight gasoline supply coupled with high demand driving up the cost of oil. Today’s national average of $3.68 is 21 cents more than it was a month ago.

In addition to high oil prices, Gross pointed to the seasonal switch to summer blend gasoline as a culprit for the high pump prices.

“This blend is designed to lower emissions during the summer and is more expensive to refine," Gross said. "Switching to summer blend usually adds about five to ten cents to the price of gasoline.”

What is Arizona's average gas price?

Arizona led the pack of 10 states that saw the largest increase in their average gas price since last Thursday, at an additional 18 cents per gallon, according to AAA data.

The average price increase reflects the state's $4.66 gas price average as of Wednesday, which is steadily rising compared to weeks and months prior.

This time last year, the state's gas price average sat at $4.56 per gallon, much pricier than years prior. The average for 2021 was $2.86.

Arizona's highest gas price is found in Scottsdale at $5.05 and the lowest gas price in Sierra Vista-Douglas at $3.98.

Pima County averages up by a dollar since last month

Pima County had an average of $4.61 per gallon as of Wednesday, lower than Maricopa County by 39 cents, but still up from last week's average by 14 cents.

The average price per gallon in Pima County has risen by a dollar since this time last month, the average price on March 19 was $3.61 per gallon.

Residents in Tucson can expect to pay about $4.60 per gallon as of Wednesday.

Sierra-Vista Douglas, a neighbor to Pima County, boasts some of the lowest average gas prices in the state, at $3.98 per gallon. Though 62 cents less than its Tucsonan neighbor, the county still followed Arizona's trend of rising gas prices, up by 8 cents from last week.

Which counties have the most and least expensive gas?

Maricopa County leads with the most expensive gas statewide with an average of $5 per gallon. Residents in Scottsdale, the East and West Valley, Phoenix, Mesa and Glendale can expect to pay about that price, if not a few cents lower.

Prices begin to fall outside the state's major metro areas. Coconino County had an average price of $4.34 per gallon, followed by $4.28 in Yavapai County and $4.09 in Mohave County. Yuma County had an average of $4 per gallon.

Gila County had an average of $4.08 per gallon while Pinal County was slightly higher at $4.55 per gallon. Neighboring Cochise County saw a $3.99 per gallon average.

The most inexpensive place to get gas is in Graham County, around 150 miles east of metro Phoenix, where gas averages $3.71 per gallon.

Tips for saving at the pump during summer travel

With little to no end in sight for the soaring fuel prices, Arizonans can save a little money at the pump by taking advantage of gas station and grocery store rewards programs where customers can save every time they buy fuel.

Many of these programs are free to sign up for. Here are five popular gas rewards programs and what they offer.

Circle K Easy Pay allows customers to save up to 10 cents per gallon at participating stations. It works by giving customers a debit card linked to their bank account to get discounts at Circle K gas stations.

Circle K currently has an enrollment offer where new Easy Pay customers can save 30 cents per gallon on their first 100 gallons or 60 days of gas purchases. According to a customer service representative, the enrollment offer has no expiration date.

There are also Fry's and Albertsons/Safeway fuel points, Shell Fuel Rewards, and GasBuddy, an app used to find low gas prices which also offers a gas savings card.

Find more details about the five popular gas rewards programs and what they offer consumers here.

AAA: Drive safe to save more

"Bad driving isn't just unsafe, it's expensive," AAA wrote on a fuel saving tips webpage. The company said adopting improved driving behaviors not only makes car travel safer, but it can contribute to significant savings at the gas pump.

AAA offered the following tips for maximizing fuel economy and miles to the gallon as gas prices rise nationwide.

• In hot weather, park in the shade or use a windshield sunscreen to lessen heat buildup inside the car. This reduces the need for air conditioning (and thus fuel) to cool down the car.

• Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car. It takes more fuel to accelerate a heavier car, and the reduction in fuel economy is greater for small cars than for larger models.

• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use. On the highway, even an empty bike, canoe or ski rack can reduce fuel economy, and a loaded rack or car-top container will have a major effect on gas mileage.

• Plan ahead to accomplish multiple errands in one trip, and whenever possible travel outside high-traffic times of the day.

• When driving in town, adjust your speed to “time” the traffic lights. This reduces repeated braking and acceleration that consume additional fuel.

• Avoid prolonged idling in general. If your car will be stopped for more than 60 seconds, shut off the engine to save fuel.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Metro Phoenix gas hits $5 a gallon as prices spike throughout Arizona