Gas prices continue to climb in Arizona, nearing $3 a gallon

PHOENIX — Arizona’s statewide average for a gallon of gas has crept toward $3 and and could climb a few cents more, an expert said.

Patrick DeHaan, an analyst with fuel-prices website Gas Buddy said Arizona’s average of $2.99 per gallon was higher than the national average, which recently jumped 6 cents to $2.87 a gallon.

“I don’t think we’ll climb a lot more. I think most of the climb is behind us already,” DeHaan said Monday.

“I think it’s possible the national average could go above $3 per gallon (but) I don’t see a scenario where prices go up by more than 25 cents.”

A year ago, the national average was almost 54 cents lower.

Arizona’s statewide average on diesel fuel is $3.12 while the national average is $3.13. DeHaan said that was a big concern, too.

“That could make everything more expensive from your Amazon package deliveries to shipping costs and certainly airlines facing higher jet fuel prices.”

DeHaan said the question remained whether America’s partners, called out by President Donald Trump to pressure them to follow U.S. sanctions against Iran, will do that.

That would effectively stifle Iran’s oil exports and tip the balance of supply and demand globally, which could contribute to a jump in crude oil prices.

Last week, Trump announced the U.S. would pull out of the nuclear accord with Iran, declaring he was making the world safer but dealing a profound blow to allies and deepening his isolation on the world stage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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