# Wyoming/Utah/Montana/Idaho gasoline prices: why so cheap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020 "2006-04-24T18:18:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/1 "2006-04-24T18:18:44Z")
While gasoline prices in most of the country are starting to approach, if not exceed $3 a gallon, in [Montana, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming](http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx) gasoline is still dirt cheap, relatively speaking. [http://www.wyominggasprices.com](http://www.wyominggasprices.com) - $2.27-$2.39/gallon [http://www.montanagasprices.com](http://www.montanagasprices.com) - $2.46-$2.53/gallon [http://www.utahgasprices.com](http://www.utahgasprices.com) - $2.37-$2.45/gallon [http://www.idahogasprices.com](http://www.idahogasprices.com) - $2.36-$2.45/gallon [http://www.gasbuddy.com](http://www.gasbuddy.com) - national average $2.90/gallon The difference between gasoline prices in the northern Rocky Mountain region and the rest of the country can’t all be attributed to taxes. So, what’s the deal with the cheap gas in cowboy country? ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/2 "2006-04-24T19:08:49Z")
They tend to sell gasoline of lower octane ratings in the mountain states than elsewhere. Maybe that has something to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/3 "2006-04-24T19:12:52Z")
Same thing in Colorado and New Mexico, but gasoline prices there are more in line with the rest of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/4 "2006-04-24T19:15:50Z")
Cheap gas is just a reflection of cheap everything. The cost of living in general is low in non-urbanized areas, and the states you list are all very rural (Salt Lake City being the one exception). I’ll bet you’d also see cheap gas in North and South Dakota and Alaska. ---
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/5 "2006-04-24T19:21:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Cheap gas is just a reflection of cheap everything. The cost of living in general is low in non-urbanized areas, and the states you list are all very rural (Salt Lake City being the one exception). I’ll bet you’d also see cheap gas in North and South Dakota and Alaska. Not quite as cheap, that’s for sure. I don’t know about Alaska, but here’s a gas price “temperature map” that shows prices nationwide, by county: > **[USA and Local National Gas Station Price Heat Map - GasBuddy.com](https://www.gasbuddy.com/gaspricemap)** > > Check out the heat map for average unleaded gas prices around the country for both Canada and the US. Type in your city to see a local gas prices map. The Dakotas aren’t exactly high, but there’s noticeable green around the northern Rockies. It’s pretty conspicuous. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/6 "2006-04-24T19:30:09Z")
I was assuming that it was largely the abscence of state taxes. 50-60¢ a gallon is a pretty steep discount, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jake4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/7 "2006-04-24T19:39:06Z")
cmkeller has it right. Because of the high elevation and the resulting effects on air pressure and combustion, regular gasoline is octane 85 or 86. This results in cheper gas. ---
**Author:** ![Jake4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/8 "2006-04-24T19:41:10Z")
That’s **cheaper** gas, but there are also other factors when comparing it to prices around the nation. I didn’t mean to say that lower octane was the only price factor, but it is a constant factor in those higher elevation areas. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/9 "2006-04-24T19:44:07Z")
> [@Jake4](#): > > cmkeller has it right. Because of the high elevation and the resulting effects on air pressure and combustion, regular gasoline is octane 85 or 86. This results in cheper gas. Then why are gas prices close to the national average in Colorado and New Mexico, where 85 octane regular is also the norm? When I lived in both states, gas prices there were always a few cents a gallon below the national average – but note it’s “few”, not “fifty” or “seventy.” ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/10 "2006-04-24T20:07:11Z")
> [@aerodave](#): > > Not quite as cheap, that’s for sure. I don’t know about Alaska, but here’s a gas price “temperature map” that shows prices nationwide, by county: > > [http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb\_gastemperaturemap.aspx](http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx) > > The Dakotas aren’t exactly high, but there’s noticeable green around the northern Rockies. It’s pretty conspicuous. Another factor we have to consider is the state taxes: [http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/statistics/gas\_taxes\_by\_state\_2002.html](http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/statistics/gas_taxes_by_state_2002.html) ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/11 "2006-04-24T20:35:50Z")
The state taxes don’t entirely cover the situation. There are also local taxes in many places that add additional cost. > **[Tax Foundation](https://taxfoundation.org/publications/show/1054.html)** > > Tax Foundation is America's leading independent tax policy resource, providing trusted nonpartisan tax data, research, and analysis since 1937. ( I don’t know much about this organization so I only assume it’s accurate. , but it’s the only ‘effective taxes’ map I could find.) But between Wyoming vs New york/California it’s right around 30 cent’s a galllon. Plus the area produces and refines a lot of oil per capita compared to most of the Country, so less transportation costs. ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/12 "2006-04-25T02:07:43Z")
Two words: Dick Cheney (He’s from Wyoming!) ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/13 "2006-04-25T02:23:57Z")
In regard to the George Bush administration: **Those are the only remaining “Red States” (states where George Bush has an approval rating above 50%.** Now consider, those 4 states combined have less population than New York City. Yet, those 4 states have 8 Senators while New York City shares 2 Senators with the rest of the state of New York. The tail is wagging the dog. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/14 "2006-04-25T02:50:18Z")
> [@DaveRaver](#): > > Two words: Dick Cheney > > (He’s from Wyoming!) One word– **can the political commentary!**. Oh, wait! That’s more than one word. Again, can the political commentary in General Questions. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/15 "2006-04-25T02:51:59Z")
> [@Spartydog](#): > > In regard to the George Bush administration: > > **Those are the only remaining “Red States” (states where George Bush has an approval rating above 50%.** > > Now consider, those 4 states combined have less population than New York City. Yet, those 4 states have 8 Senators while New York City shares 2 Senators with the rest of the state of New York. > > The tail is wagging the dog. If you’re serious about proposing this, then back it up. 'else, can the political commentary in General Questions. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/16 "2006-04-25T12:14:51Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > If you’re serious about proposing this, then back it up. > > 'else, can the political commentary in General Questions. > > **samclem** From Paul Krugman’s op-ed piece in the NY Times on April 21, 2006: > [@](#): > > Now the great revulsion has arrived. The latest Fox News poll puts Mr. Bush’s approval at only 33 percent. According to the polling firm Survey USA, there are only four states in which significantly more people approve of Mr. Bush’s performance than disapprove: Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nebraska. If we define red states as states where the public supports Mr. Bush, Red America now has a smaller population than New York City. > [@](#): > > The fewer than eight million residents of what’s left of Red America are represented by eight U.S. senators; the more than eight million residents of New York City have to share two senators with the rest of New York State. Granted, I erred in the exact makeup of the states. Substitute Montana for Nebraska. However, that probably does little to change the coincidence of Bush support to low gasoline prices. Of course, from there we are into chicken/egg territory. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/17 "2006-04-25T14:16:59Z")
Submitted for your consideration: These particular states _do actually produce petroleum_ (wells are all over the place!), and their availability may help bring the market down. Not so much as to bring pricing down below $2.00, but I’m sure the infusion of a local supply and refining helps. Tripler Hell, Montana’s got a “Petroleum” County! ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/18 "2006-04-25T15:02:09Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Submitted for your consideration: These particular states _do actually produce petroleum_ (wells are all over the place!), and their availability may help bring the market down. Not so much as to bring pricing down below $2.00, but I’m sure the infusion of a local supply and refining helps. > > Tripler > Hell, Montana’s got a “Petroleum” County! I live in Texas, oil wells all over, home of Texas City, Houston, and other huge refineries… Yeah and we have $3.05/gal of the cheap stuff in parts of Dallas Ft. Worth. I don’t know how that would line up with your theory. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/19 "2006-04-25T15:18:16Z")
> [@Translucent Daydream](#): > > I live in Texas, oil wells all over, home of Texas City, Houston, and other huge refineries… As does Pennsylvania. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020/20 "2006-04-25T15:18:38Z")
Let me take that back to make it sound differently. It doesn’t seem to line up with your theory _here_… but when I started to think about it, **Tripler** , those states don’t have near the population and demand for gasoline that we do have here either. That probably has something to do with it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wyoming-utah-montana-idaho-gasoline-prices-why-so-cheap/354020.md?page=2)