Wyoming’s average gasoline price dropped slightly on Sunday, down 0.9 cents per gallon over the previous 24 hours, yet the overall average remained at $4.00.
The website GasBuddy.com, which tracks national gas prices, reported Wyoming’s average gas price is up 0.4 cents per gallon over one week ago, and up $1.15 per gallon from one year ago.
Wyoming’s average price for gasoline remained below the national average of $4.243 for a gallon of regular.
The average price per gallon of regular in each Wyoming county:
Albany $3.74; Big Horn $4.00; Campbell $4.00; Carbon $4.00; Converse $3.90; Crook $4.00; Fremont $4.00; Goshen $3.91; Hot Springs $4.10; Johnson $4.00; Laramie $3.93; Lincoln $4.27; Natrona $3.87; Niobrara $4.00; Park $4.13; Platte, $4.17; Sheridan $4.00; Sublette $4.11; Sweetwater $4.00; Teton $4.11; Uinta $4.15; Washakie $4.00; and Weston $3.99.
The lowest price per gallon, reported in major Wyoming cities:
Basin $4.13; Buffalo $3.95; Casper $3.79; Cheyenne $3.85; Cody $4.10; Douglas $3.78; Evanston $4.22; Gillette $3.72; Jackson $4.18; Kemmerer $4.09; Laramie $3.82; Lusk $3.79; New Castle $4.39; Pinedale $4.05; Rawlins $3.86; Riverton $3.97; Rock Springs $3.93; Sheridan $3.81; Sundance $3.99; Thermopolis $4.09; Wheatland $3.98; Worland $4.04.
The lowest reported average price was $3.72, in Gillette, while the highest was in Newcastle, with $4.39 per gallon of regular gas.
Tim’s Observations:
One of the factors that contributes to a change in price at pump, is the switch from winter blend to summer blend gasoline.
But gas is gas isn’t? Surely this is an excuse to charge more?
No, not really. The main difference between the summer and winter blends is the Reid Vapor Pressure, or “RVP.” This is a measurement of how easily gasoline evaporates. In the winter, especially here in Wyoming, we need a blend with a higher RVP. The higher the RVP, slower it evaporates, and the better our vehicles will start and run in the winter. Conversely, in the summer, you don’t want a blend that will evaporate too quickly. Too quick to evaporate, and you’ll have reduced fuel economy and loss of gasoline just from normal evaporation.
June first 1st through September 15th, the federal government restricts the sale of gas with an RVP higher than 9.0. Winter blends typically have an RVP around 15. California has an even lower RVP requirement, of 7.1. With the production lag time between being fully supplied, and the time it takes to deliver summer blends, you can see prices for the more expensive blend, hit the pump before the end of March, and stay that way into October.
Note: Prices in this report are for reference only. They are gathered the evening before posting, and may not reflect prices that have changed since last posted.