Gas Prices Falling Faster In OKC Than Tulsa

A check of the gas gauge shows there's a new price at the pump and it seems to get lower almost every day.

Gasoline is selling for almost a dollar per gallon less than it was in April, but the price has changed more down the road in Oklahoma City.

Gas prices have dropped continuously now for more than a month; but while the price is down in Tulsa, it's even lower in Oklahoma City.

Tulsa's gas prices are well below $3 a gallon, with most stations selling regular for $2.77.

The lower price at the pump reflects the dropping price at the well; crude oil is selling for less than $78 a barrel.

The pump-price in Tulsa is quite a bit different than the price in Oklahoma City, however; there it's selling for $2.49 a gallon at most stations.

“Just the fact that it's dropping is a good thing, but it should be dropping everywhere at an equal rate,” said driver Paden Carter.

According to AAA, average Tulsa price is about ten cents a gallon higher than in Oklahoma City.

One year ago prices were just the opposite; Oklahoma City drivers paid more.

The average price over the last year was lower in Tulsa; 11 cents a gallon cheaper, on average, than in Oklahoma City.

Drivers like Derrick Hollis, who often make the drive, notice the constant swings.

"I've seen it cheaper here than there, and I've seen it cheaper there than here," said Hollis.

The lowest price we found in Tulsa was $2.69 at an independent gas station on Utica and other nearby stations have the same price to be competitive.

"And typically, we do see gas prices going down at the end of the year," said Daniel Karnes with AAA.

Karnes cannot explain why the price has dropped more in Oklahoma City than Tulsa.

"Nobody sets the price of what we pay at the pump. Each individual station or company sets the price of what they're going to sell gasoline for," he said.

Experts note Oklahoma City has more diversity between brands, while QuikTrip is the major retailer in Tulsa.

Other than that, even experts can't point to any specific reason the price is always different just down the turnpike.

We contacted the two major retail players in Tulsa and Oklahoma City for comment - QuikTrip and OnCue Express - they haven't responded.