Why is gas so expensive in Arizona? What to know

The average price of regular gasoline in the United States surpassed $4 per gallon in late March.

But as high as that rate may be, it remains lower than the highest average price recorded by AAA. The price of gasoline in June 2022 wins that dubious distinction. And in Arizona, where the average reached $4 before the national rate, prices are still not at their highest recorded amount.At least not yet. The difference between prices on March 31 and the highs recorded in June 2022 are rather narrow.

Here’s what we know about the stretches between current gas prices and those recorded as the highest ever and why these highs are different from nearly four years ago.

Why is gas so high right now?

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping channel connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman was shut off by Iran for countries exporting oil to the U.S., after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

Why was gas so high in June 2022?

Sanctions on the world’s second-highest producer of oil, Russia, for that country’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine was the principal reason for record-setting gas prices.

What is the current average U.S. gas price compared to the highest recorded price?

As of March 31, the average rate of regular gasoline in the U.S. was $4.018, according to AAA. The average price of regular gasoline reached its highest price in the U.S. on June 14, 2022, when it sold at a rate of $5.016, according to AAA.

What is the current average Arizona gas price compared to the highest recorded price?

As of March 31, the average rate of regular gasoline in Arizona was $4.682, according to AAA. The average price of regular gasoline reached its highest price in Arizona on June 17, 2022 when it sold at a rate of $5.388, according to AAA.

What are the current average Phoenix-area gas prices compared to the highest recorded prices?

As of March 31, the average rates of regular gasoline by city or areas in the Valley, according to AAA, are listed below. Also listed, are the city’s or area’s highest recorded prices and their dates, according to AAA.

• East Valley: $4.956 – $5.700 on June 16, 2022
• Glendale: $4.956 – $5.715 on June 15, 2022
• Peoria: $4.965 – $5.716 on June 16, 2022
• Phoenix proper: $4.966 – $5.699 on June 15, 2022
• Phoenix-Mesa: $4.913 – $5.688 on June 15, 2022
• Scottsdale: $4.970 – $5.726 on June 15, 2022
• West Valley: $4.944 – $5.712 on June 15, 2022