GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — Gas prices were down on Monday. But according to GasBuddy, the average per gallon cost was still over $4 statewide.
Still, in some counties, that price is under four bucks. In another just minutes away, it could cost 20 cents more.
As fuel costs approach all-time highs, it might be difficult to pick the gas station that offers the cheapest price.
"The demand side of this equation is going to work against us until we get to the other side of summer," AAA Director of Public Affairs Nick Jarmusz said.
According to GasBuddy, regular prices at the pump averaged around $4.07 in Brown County to start off the week. In Outagamie County, prices were around 13 cents less.
"The closer you are to the interstate, the less expensive your gas is likely to be because of that," Jarmusz said.
AAA says the length of time it takes to truck gas and the quality of the roadways can impact cost.
"If you're more accessible to an interstate or closer to one of the pipeline distribution terminals, then that's less time spent on a truck, less diesel fuel that the truck is burning," Jarmusz said.
But he says the popularity of the station also plays a factor.
"One of the biggest differences in transportation costs when it comes to getting the gas to the gas stations is how close you are to a pipeline," Jarmusz said.
The Green Bay area's only gas pipeline was shut down almost six years ago due to repair needs. Now, Northeast Wisconsin's closest distribution center is in Waupun. Still, when it's active, the Port of Green Bay brings in almost 400,000 tons of petroleum products.
"The port has served as a viable and economical way to get petroleum products into the Green Bay market and that includes diesel, gasoline and ethanol," Port Manager Dean Haen said.
While location plays a key factor into gas prices, officials say the reopening of the Port of Green Bay should only reduce costs at local pumps. In the winter, the port shuts down because of the ice on Lake Michigan.
"The port cannot bring in all the petroleum needs of the region, but it does have a positive impact on the wholesalers of petroleum fuel," Haen said.
