Phoenix diesel prices hit a new record high as AAA data show sharp March surge
Record diesel averages reported across metro Phoenix
Diesel prices in the Phoenix area reached a new record high on March 28, with the regional average for the Phoenix–Mesa market listed at $6.010 per gallon. The same day, the “Phoenix Proper” average was $6.021, while surrounding submarkets posted similar levels: West Valley averaged $6.028 and East Valley averaged $6.019.
The figures mark a new high in AAA’s historical metro-area tracking for diesel in Phoenix–Mesa, surpassing the previous record set in June 2022. AAA’s statewide diesel average for Arizona on March 28 was $5.928 per gallon, also above the June 2022 statewide record of $5.942 only in proximity but not exceeding it; in Phoenix-area metro readings, the March 28 value established the new peak.
How fast prices moved in March
AAA’s daily price snapshot shows diesel in the Phoenix–Mesa market rising rapidly over the course of a month. The metro diesel average was $3.640 per gallon one month before March 28, then climbed to $5.486 a week before the record date, and reached $6.010 on March 28.
Across Arizona, the same pattern was visible: the statewide diesel average was $3.645 one month earlier, $5.472 a week before March 28, and $5.928 on March 28. Regular gasoline also increased over the same interval, with Arizona’s statewide regular average listed at $4.632 on March 28.
Why diesel matters beyond drivers
Diesel is a primary fuel for freight trucking and many commercial fleets, making sustained increases relevant to the broader cost of moving goods. When transportation fuel costs rise, carriers and contractors may face higher operating expenses that can influence pricing decisions across supply chains, depending on contract structures and surcharge mechanisms.
- Phoenix–Mesa diesel average on March 28: $6.010 per gallon
- Phoenix Proper diesel average on March 28: $6.021 per gallon
- Arizona statewide diesel average on March 28: $5.928 per gallon
- Arizona statewide regular gasoline average on March 28: $4.632 per gallon
Context: records vs. statewide history
AAA’s historical tables distinguish between statewide records and metro-area records. In Arizona’s statewide series, the highest recorded average diesel price is listed at $5.942 on June 19, 2022. In the Phoenix–Mesa metro series, the highest recorded diesel average is now listed as $6.010 on March 28, 2026, with Phoenix Proper slightly higher at $6.021 on the same date.
Price records are tracked separately by AAA for statewide averages and for metro-area averages, which can move differently depending on local market conditions.
AAA’s fuel-price dashboard updates daily, allowing comparisons across Arizona regions, including Phoenix-area submarkets and other metros such as Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma.