Gasoline sales in Wyoming have dipped over the past five years, reflecting a national trend of declining fuel consumption, Wyoming News Now reports.
While nationwide gas use dropped sharply, Wyoming saw a more modest decline, attributed in part to the state’s unique demographic and geographic characteristics.
Daily gas consumption in Wyoming fell by 4,800 gallons over the past five years, with residents purchasing an average of 978,100 gallons daily in 2021, according to data compiled by Truck Parking Club from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). This equates to about 1.7 gallons per person per day, down 0.5% since 2016. Nationally, gas consumption fell more dramatically, with a 5.7% decline during the same period.
Truck Parking Club’s broader national analysis highlighted regional variations in gasoline use, noting that Wyoming and other Mountain West states like Montana rank among the highest in per capita consumption. Montana led the nation in 2021 with an average of 1.9 gallons per person per day, followed closely by Wyoming. Contributing factors include low population density, high rates of car commuting, limited remote work, and a sparse electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Public transit remains rare in the region, with Wyoming ranking in the bottom 15 nationwide for transit usage.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a notable decline in gas usage across the US as remote work became widespread, reducing commuting and daily travel. The EIA noted that in 2021, Americans bought 21.2 million fewer gallons of gas daily than in 2016. Even post-pandemic, remote work’s continued prevalence — now at about 15% of workers compared to 5% in 2017 — keeps gas demand low, particularly in densely populated states with better access to public transit.
Fuel efficiency gains and the growing popularity of EVs have also chipped away at gas consumption. Northeastern states like New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland saw some of the lowest per capita gas sales, driven by shorter travel distances, dense populations, and robust transit systems. High incomes in these regions make fuel-efficient cars and EVs more accessible, reducing reliance on gasoline.
Wyoming’s reliance on gas is influenced by high rates of car use, low transit ridership, and an EV market that remains underdeveloped. Despite stable gas prices, experts predict that as fuel efficiency advances and EV adoption increases, gas consumption may decline further.
This report, featuring data from Truck Parking Club and Stacker Studio, is part of an ongoing series examining fuel use trends across the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
