PHOENIX — Gas prices continue to increase across the country, and here in Maricopa County, prices have jumped to more than $3 per gallon on average.
The average gas price hovers around $3.03 Friday across the Valley, the first time the Phoenix-metro area has been at or above $3 since December of 2019.
That average has gone up more than 30 cents in the last week, and almost 60 cents in the last month across the Valley.
AAA says gas prices have steadily increased since the beginning of 2021, as the market prepares for an increase in demand expected to come with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
That increase has been skyrocketed in the last few weeks by the shutdown of many refineries in the Midwest because of heavy winter storms.
“Prices are likely to be volatile until crude oil production is back to normal levels. However, motorists can expect these more expensive gas prices to stick around, but large spikes are likely to subside,” AAA said in a statement Friday.
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