Gas Prices: Why So High In NWA?
By: Meghan Dill
Updated: May 10, 2007
The average price for regular unleaded in Arkansas is $2.87, but here in Northwest Arkansas its much higher.
Weve tried to figure out why gas prices in Northwest Arkansas are so much higher than the rest of the state for nearly a year. The reasons we get from gas retailers are never the same.
Just yesterday we had Senator Sue Madison make calls to local gas retailers and she was told by Flashmarket, who sells gas at Citgo and Phillip 66, that the country is divided into groups.
NWA is group two, and we get our gas from refineries in the Mdwest and Great Lakes. Little Rock is in group three and gets their from the Gulf Coast, so its cheaper.
They even emailed Senator Madison a comical graphic, comparing gallons of other products to gasoline. For instance, a gallon of Diet Snapple would cost $10.32 a gallon, or a gallon of Scope would cost $84.48. While we see their point, these products arent essential to getting to work in the morning.
Another theory we were told is that because of where we are geographically, it costs more to get the gas up here.
U of A Economics professor Kathy Deck told us its simple, supply and demand. NWA is considered more more affluent than other parts of the state, so gas prices are higher here, because gas retailers know drivers will pay for it.
