Gas prices continued to surge across Arizona and the nation this week as oil prices remained high and supplies fell amid high demand, AAA says.
Meanwhile, some local Circle K stores ran out of gas this week amid supply-chain issues.
The statewide average gas price jumped a dime in a week to $4.29 per gallon of regular on Friday, while the national average rose 6 cents to $3.50 per gallon.
Tucsonβs average gas price rose 10 cents for the week, to $3.99 per gallon on Friday, and is up more than 80 cents from a month ago.
Yuma had the stateβs cheapest gas at an average $3.84 per gallon, while Scottsdale had the priciest gas at an average $4.72 per gallon.
Statewide, gas prices have increased 74 cents in a month.
Arizona has seen a spike in gas prices in recent weeks due to a changeover to a cleaner burning, summer-blend gas required in California and the Phoenix area, amid limited pipeline capacity, according to Gas Buddy analyst Patrick De Haan.
Circle K, a major gas retailer in Tucson, said fuel-supply shortages at some of its local stations are the result of βvarious supply chain issues that are affecting retailers across Arizona.β
βWith maintenance issues interrupting production at the coastal refineries that serve the state, suppliers have faced challenges transporting enough fuel to meet rising demand,β Circle K said in a prepared statement, adding that the company is working to resume a normal delivery schedule.
Monitor average gas prices in Tucson and around the country at gasprices.aaa.com.
While the Federal Reserve has attempted to corral inflation by raising key lending rates, it has had little impact on consumers when they buy gas or get groceries. The Second Harvest Community Food Bank in St. Joseph, Missouri saw a slight decrease in the number of people in need as the pandemic came to an end. However, the need quickly rose again as inflation rates increased.
