Phoenix, Ariz., January 29, 2009. While Cards fans hope to see the birds make gains against Pittsburgh this Sunday in the Big Game, they will also continue to see gains at the gas pump as the price of fuel increased for the fourth consecutive week. Statewide, motorists are paying an average of $1.897 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, an increase of more than four cents from last week. Tucson drivers continue to pay the state’s lowest fuel price with an average of $1.835 per gallon, while Flagstaff drivers are paying the most for fuel in the state with an average of $1.995 per gallon. The nationwide average decreased by less than a penny this week to $1.843 per gallon.

While the statewide and nationwide price of fuel has increased by 19 and nearly 14 percent, respectively, from the beginning of the year, the price of crude oil continues to trade in the low to mid $40 per barrel range. Despite the commodity trading between these price points, the cost of gasoline has increased based on the expectation that OPEC and U.S. refiners would be able to cut output to bring supply and demand into balance and reports that some in the energy sector are trying to prop up prices by parking oil tankers in harbors in an attempt to increase their retail margins.

In addition, local prices have increased over the last four weeks as a result of tightened supplies. However, market factors and price trends this week displayed indications that pump prices appear to be leveling off. This can largely be attributed to current crude prices and further demand destruction. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, Americans continued to cut the number of miles they are driving for the thirteenth consecutive month, which illustrates motorists are still doing what they can to conserve fuel.

“The local supply issue that resulted in an upturn in Arizona fuel prices is beginning to improve,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “With oil prices trading in the low to mid $40 per barrel range, continued downturn in demand and the market making the necessary adjustments to bring adequate supplies to the state, we should begin to see price stabilization occur over the next couple of weeks.”

The cheapest gasoline in the lower 48 states can be found in Wyoming, where unleaded regular is $1.517 per gallon. California motorists are paying the most for fuel in the country with an average of $2.105 per gallon.

Motorists can visit www.AAAAZ.com/news/fuelnews.htm for fuel price information and gas saving tips or go to www.AAA.com/fuelfinder to locate the station with the cheapest gas in their neighborhood. They can also visit AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.fuelcostcalculator.com, which can help drivers plan out their fuel costs so they can budget their travel expenses in advance.

*The BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is the nationwide average price of E-85 adjusted to reflect the lower energy content as expressed in British Thermal Units - and hence miles per gallon - available in a gallon of E-85 as compared to the same volume of conventional gasoline. The BTU-adjusted price calculated by OPIS and AAA is not an actual retail average price paid by consumers. It is calculated and displayed as part of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report because according to the Energy Information Administration E-85 delivers approximately 25 percent fewer BTUs by volume than conventional gasoline. Because "flexible fuel" vehicles can operate on conventional fuel and E-85, the BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is essential to understanding the cost implications of each fuel choice for consumers.

AAA Arizona’s Weekly Fuel Gauge includes data from gasoline stations in every Arizona community. However, only major metropolitan areas are shown in the table above.  Local prices in some communities might be higher or lower than the averages shown here.

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NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data may be used on a daily basis by news media Web sites, but should include attribution to AAA.