CODY, Wyo. — Gasoline prices across the Bighorn Basin remained well above the state and national averages this week, with prices increasing the closer one gets to Yellowstone National Park. Cody and much of Park County continue to record the highest prices in Wyoming, with an average of $3.77 per gallon for regular unleaded. The state average Tuesday was $3.56 and falling, with Casper recording the lowest price of $3.31 a gallon. “The area around Cody follows the mountain crude oil prices, while the rest of Wyoming follows the Midwest market,” said Tara Hanley with AAA Mountain West. “Cody falls more into the Montana market range while the rest of Wyoming follows Midwest pricing.” The average price across Wyoming has dropped 11 cents per gallon over the past month, while the national average has fallen 20 cents over the same time. But motorists in Park County haven’t enjoyed the same decrease in price, paying nearly the same this week as they did last month. “I don’t expect the prices to come down much in the summer months and living in a tourist town,” said Jennifer O’Connell of Cody while filling her Jeep’s tank on Tuesday. “I think we all kind of expect to pay a little more living near Yellowstone.” Hanley said several factors are contributing to the area’s high prices. The Cody market sits the furthest away from Wyoming’s two interstates, increasing the cost of distributing fuel to the area. Hanley also said the lack of a major fuel retailer, such as Town Pump, may result in higher prices. “Town Pump is able to sell gas below market costs,” Hanley said. “They don’t make any money off gas sales, but rather, off convenience store sales. When you have the mom-and-pop shops, they try to make a little money off their gasoline sales, which increases the price.” Prices across northern Wyoming ranged from $3.45 in Sheridan to $3.69 in Thermopolis. Fuel prices in several Bighorn Basin communities also remained above the state average Tuesday, including Greybull, where regular unleaded remained at $3.77 a gallon, and Worland, where prices were listed at $3.72 a gallon. In May, oil was selling for $113 per barrel. It has since fallen to roughly $93. Relief at the pump should eventually make its way to northern Wyoming and the Bighorn Basin, Hanley said. “I would expect to see a slow but steady relief throughout the state,” Hanley said. “Prices in Montana and Wyoming don’t climb as fast as they do in other parts of the country, but they don’t fall as fast, either.” Contact Martin Kidston at mkidston@billingsgazette.com or 307-527-7250.

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