Casper, Wyoming – Over the Labor Day weekend, drivers in Natrona County saw a modest relief at the pump. According to the American Automobile Association, the county’s average gasoline price slipped by about six cents, landing at $4.21 per gallon on Tuesday.
That price keeps Natrona County as the third‑cheapest place to fill up in the state, behind Laramie County’s $4.10 average and the combined $4.17 averages in Crook and Goshen counties. The statewide average sits a little higher at roughly $4.36 per gallon, while the national average reported by AAA stands at $4.15.
Where to Find the Lowest Prices
GasBuddy’s driver‑submitted data points to Loaf ’N Jug on South Beverly Street as the cheapest station in Natrona County, offering gasoline at $4.09 per gallon. The next best option is Flying J on SE Wyoming Boulevard, where the price is $4.14 per gallon.
Diesel Trends
While gasoline eased, diesel moved in the opposite direction. The national diesel average climbed 29.7 cents over the past week, reaching $5.87 per gallon – a new all‑time high. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, warned that continued attacks on Russian refining capacity could push diesel toward $6 per gallon in the near future.
De Haan also noted that gasoline prices may level off seasonally in the weeks ahead, even as diesel faces upward pressure.
Broader Energy Context
International events are adding volatility to fuel markets. Early this week, crude oil prices rose toward the $100‑per‑barrel mark after the United States engaged Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers, prompting Tehran to threaten an exclusion zone. Saudi Aramco facilities in Jazan were also hit, contributing to a near‑10% weekly gain in crude prices. West Texas Intermediate settled at $93.65 per barrel, while Brent crude closed at $98.52.
Analyst Giovanni Staunovo of UBS echoed concerns, saying inventory dynamics remain tight and geopolitical risks keep oil prices biased to the upside.
U.S. Supply Numbers
U.S. Energy Information Administration data for the week ending Aug. 28 show commercial crude inventories down 4.5 million barrels and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve reduced by 3.1 million barrels to 286.6 million barrels. Gasoline supplies fell 1.2 million barrels, now about 6 % below the five‑year seasonal average. Distillate fuel stocks rose slightly, though they remain 14 % below typical seasonal levels.
National Price Landscape
Across the country, the most common pump price for gasoline is $3.99 per gallon, with the national median at $3.89. California remains the most expensive state at $5.82 per gallon, while Indiana, Texas, and Oklahoma offer the lowest averages.
For diesel, the most common price is $4.99 per gallon, and the national median sits at $5.79. California again tops the list at $7.81, while Oklahoma provides the cheapest diesel at $5.46.
Wyoming drivers can take some comfort in the recent dip, but the broader energy picture suggests that fuel costs will continue to be influenced by global supply constraints and geopolitical tensions.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
