AZ drivers to pay higher gas prices than most of the U.S.
PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- Lots of people are hitting the road this afternoon for Thanksgiving, and according to data, Arizona drivers will be paying higher gas prices than most of the nation.
The average price in Phoenix is $2.89, which is 29 cents higher than the national average of $2.60.
Despite the high gas prices, for this Thanksgiving holiday, we are expected to see the most number of people taking road trips in Arizona since 2005.
According to the AAA, the reason why gas prices in Arizona are higher than the nation's average mostly has to do the high prices in the West Coast, as a region. Arizona relies on half of its fuel source from the western pipeline out of California.
"A lot of it has to do with the fact that stocks have been building in some other regions, but they actually fell in the west region," said Michelle Donati-Grayman with AAA Arizona.
Within Arizona, if you're planning a trip up north, you can expect to pay even more, as Coconino County, at $3 per gallon, has the highest gas prices on average.
AAA officials say we're currently paying about 45 cents more for gas than this time last year. However, on the upside, we're still paying well less than the record high gas price of $4, set back in 2008.
AAA Gas Prices
https://gasprices.aaa.com/
GasBuddy
https://www.gasbuddy.com/