Here’s why Arizonans are feeling more pain at pump than most of nation

PHOENIX – Arizona gas prices have been rising at a significantly faster pace than the rest of the nation over the last month, and the worst is yet to come, according to a fuel industry expert.

“Arizona’s average [is] now $3.32 a gallon, and that’s up 28 cents a gallon in the last month. For comparison, the national average is only up 7 cents a gallon in the last month,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday morning.

If that’s not bad enough, the pain at the pump is even more intense in the state’s largest city.

“The average price in Phoenix [is] now $3.52 a gallon. That’s up over 14 cents a gallon in the last week. It’s also up a staggering 47 cents from a month ago,” De Haan said.

Why are Arizona gas prices rising so quickly?

De Haan said it’s normal for gas prices to surge in the late winter and spring as California refineries start the transition to summer fuel blends.

In addition, several California refineries have experienced operational issues in recent weeks, worsening the situation, De Haan said.

“That’s pushed the wholesale price of gasoline up significantly, and that’s behind much of the jump that we’re seeing across areas like the West Coast, Phoenix [and] Arizona statewide,” he said.

California, Washington, Nevada and Oregon are the only states in the continental U.S. with higher current gas prices than Arizona.

How long will Arizona gas prices keep rising?

De Haan said Grand Canyon State motorists, especially those in metro Phoenix, should expect prices to keep rising in the coming weeks. Due to air quality regulations, Valley gas stations have to sell a different type of fuel than the rest of the state during the summer, pushing up prices in the region.

“I would say Phoenix could see $4 a gallon here in March, if not sooner, whereas the statewide average may follow a few weeks behind that,” he said.

De Haan said gas prices tend to peak in early April, meaning Arizonans are probably looking at two more months of increases.

“We should see relief, though, as we get closer to Memorial Day,” he said. “And if everything goes well this summer, gas prices should be on cruise control, slowly declining over the course of the summer.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

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