Scottsdale gas prices lead state

Robert Defibaugh gassed up his wife’s BMW at a Scottsdale Circle K Thursday.

“I don’t think I have enough gas to get there,” Defibaugh said, noting that he usually fills up the three family vehicles and the seven that make up his business fleet in south Phoenix.

“It’s 15 to 20 cents cheaper than in Scottsdale’’ he said.

In fact, the average pump price in Scottsdale rose more than 12 cents a gallon in just the last week, making it and Yuma the priciest places in Arizona to buy gasoline.

The average tab for regular gas at a Scottsdale gas station was $2.47 per gallon, according to the weekly statistics released Thursday by AAA Arizona. That’s compared with an average price of $2.36 if you stop into a station a few miles south in Tempe or Mesa.

Still, nobody escaped altogether the rapidly rising pump prices. The East Valley tab for a gallon of regular jumped 9 cents this week, and statewide gas is more than 10 cents higher than a week ago, the auto group reported.

It’s the costly real estate and what stations have to pay wholesalers that is pushing up prices in Scottsdale, said Linda Gorman, AAA Arizona spokeswoman.

“Gas is always going to be more expensive at Scottsdale and Camelback roads because the land is more expensive there,” Gorman said.

Gas prices nationwide also jumped 12 cents this week to $2.41 a gallon. Arizona fared a little better with an average $2.39 per gallon, up 10 cents from a week ago. While Scottsdale and Yuma raised the statewide curve, Tucson gas is currently cheapest at $2.32.

It’s the third week in a row that local gas prices went up, although the boost this past week is double the combined price increase of the previous two weeks, Gorman said.

“It’s not unusual for this time of year,” she said. “It’s the spring refining season, and refineries are shut down for maintenance and to switch from winter to summer blends.”

While none of that product has hit gas stations yet, prices go up “in anticipation,” Gorman said.

Add to the seasonal factor, a stronger than usual winter demand, a rise in oil prices and a refinery fire that gave oil companies and wholesalers an incentive to raise prices to the retailers, she said.

The outlook isn’t any better either, at least in the short run.

“Prices are headed up. That is a certainty. The only question is how much and for how long,” Gorman said.

Look for more increases for at least the next five weeks until the spring-break season subsides, she said.

But how prices will shake out for the busy summer driving season is still an unknown, Gorman said.

The one bright light is recent Wall Street woes, she said.

“If there is an economic downturn, it keeps oil prices in check,” Gorman said. “Investors get concerned that people will drive less and spend less.”

Some already have.

Kyle Schueler, a student a Scottsdale Community College, drives to school but almost nowhere else.

“I only use my car when I really need it,” he said. “I bike or get a ride from a guy who doesn’t mind (the gas tab).”

Jeanette Nichols, who drives a big car because she feels its safer for her kids, leaves it in the garage when pump prices are too high.

“We’re a one-income family, and I don’t go anywhere because of the gas prices,” she said. “They are really ridiculous.”