Gas Prices Rising…Oil Still in the Doldrums

Average retail gasoline prices in Wyoming have risen 6.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.84/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 494 gas outlets in Wyoming. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.98/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Wyoming during the past week, prices yesterday were 35.4 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 20.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 27.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 44.0 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on March 21 in Wyoming have ranged widely over the last five years:

$2.20/g in 2015

$3.40/g in 2014

$3.31/g in 2013

$3.43/g in 2012

$3.28/g in 2011

Areas nearby Wyoming and their current gas price climate:

Fort Collins- $1.94/g, up 7.2 cents per gallon from last week's $1.87/g.

Ogden- $1.80/g, up 3.0 cents per gallon from last week's $1.77/g.

Billings- $1.92/g, up 7.7 cents per gallon from last week's $1.85/g.

"With the U.S. average price of gas closing in on the $2 level, a price not seen since late December, it reflects a real paradox; we see simultaneously both a stark increase --25 cents per gal. in the past few weeks-- and a reminder of how much we're still saving," said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. "Even with the anticipated rise in retail prices to accommodate 'summer blend' gasoline regulations, and even with a 54% increase in crude oil from $26 to $40 for the benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the national average price of gas today remains some 45 cents lower than where we were exactly one year ago."

For LIVE fuel price averages, visit gasbuddy.com.