After a slight increase last week, gas prices took a sharp upward turn this week as prices jumped 33 cents to land at $4.13 a gallon on average around the Valley, AAA Arizona said in a release late Thursday.
“Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump,” said Aldo Vazquez, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group in the release. “Crude oil prices have risen toward $80 per barrel, and those prices play a significant role in the prices consumers pay.”
The state average also rose significantly, with prices jumping 25 cents to $4.16 per gallon. The national average sits at $3.98, up 10 cents a gallon from last week.
