Arizona motorists experienced another crude awakening this week, with the statewide average jumping almost 3 cents to $3.578 per gallon. Nationally, prices fell more than a penny to $3.655 per gallon.

“Though pump price increases appear to be slowing, crude prices remain north of $100 per barrel,” said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “Arizona remains in a better position than many other states. Several regions of the country are currently facing other factors, such as production issues, in addition to higher crude costs.”

Last week, the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures revealed a statewide audit that showed a 17 percent non-compliance rate at gas pumps across Arizona. The department discovered more than 4,700 gas pump violations and issued civil penalties. As an advocate for the motoring public, AAA supports the agency’s efforts for the gas industry to make sure pumps are properly calibrated to ensure motorists get what they pay for.

Tucson and Flagstaff hold the low and high state fuel averages at $3.409 and $3.757 per gallon, respectively . South Carolina and Connecticut hold the lowest and highest average prices for the lower 48 states at $3.331 and $4.030 per gallon, respectively.