A modest dip in Arizona gas prices this week may offer a little relief at the pump, but the Independence Day rush could quickly erase those savings. The state is going against national trends, but the looming holiday and summer demand may push prices back up.
AAA reports Arizona’s average is now $3.26 a gallon, down 3 cents from last week, while the U.S. average edged up 2 cents to $3.22. The most expensive gas in the state is in Maricopa County at about $3.40, while Yuma County remains the cheapest at $2.96.
AAA’s Julian Paredes said Arizona’s short-lived relief may not last long.
“We have July 4 just next week, so that’s definitely going to be a really, really busy travel period. And, you know, summer is still when demand for gas is at its highest, so it’s definitely possible that gas prices will start going up," he said.
Meanwhile, AAA is predicting a record-breaking Independence Day travel period, with almost 62 million Americans expected to hit the road between June 28 and July 6 — up over 2% from last year.
