Arizona gas prices staying low as Christmas holiday nears

PHOENIX — Drivers across Arizona hitting the road for Christmas will see gas prices 60 cents cheaper than this time last year.

Gas prices in Arizona fell by two cents over the last week to a state-wide average of $2.20 per gallon, according to Patrick DeHaan of Gas Buddy.

In Phoenix, the average price sits at $2.26 per gallon.

Tucson drivers are paying 30 cents less at $1.96 per gallon.

“Meanwhile, the national average has increased about four cents per gallon in the last week and stands at $2.21 per gallon,” DeHaan said. “It’s about 35 cents lower than last year.”

Continued positive coronavirus vaccine news could drive gas prices up beginning next week as experts hope the vaccine pushes Americans to return to the road, DeHaan said.

An estimated 81 million Americans are expected to travel by car this holiday season, a decrease of 25% from last year, according to AAA’s 2020 holiday travel forecast.

“While Thanksgiving is traditionally spent gathering with friends and family, the year-end holidays are when Americans often venture out for longer, more elaborate vacations,” Senior Vice President of AAA Travel Paula Twidale said in a press release. “That will not be the case this year.

“Public health concerns, official guidance not to travel, and an overall decline in consumer sentiment have encouraged the vast majority of Americans to stay home for the holidays.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends celebrating the holidays only with members of the same household to decrease the spread of disease as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to surge around the country.

KTAR News 92.3 FM‘s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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