Gas Prices Up Slightly, But Downturn Expected

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Friday, January 17, 2014 - 10:15am

Arizonans are paying more at the gas pump again this week. Stephanie Dembowski of AAA Arizona says prices are up just over two cents in the last week to $3.24 a gallon.  Nationally, prices were up a half-cent to $3.30.

However, Dembowski says declining demand and lower crude oil prices should begin to push prices down again soon.

“We’re not anticipating a major price shift in either direction in the short term," Dembowski said. "You know the price of crude is in the low $90-per-barrel range, so hopefully we’ll start to see pump prices correct themselves and start to head in the opposite direction.”

Flagstaff drivers continue to pay the state’s highest prices at $3.36 a gallon, while those in Tucson are paying the least, at $3.18. Dembowski says despite the weekly price increase, the general trend is toward stable prices.