Alberta is once again the cheapest place on average in Canada to fill up your vehicle. Here in Cochrane, though, the price drop continues to lag behind neighbouring communities.

According to Gas Buddy, the average price in Alberta is currently $1.41.9 per litre for regular unleaded gasoline. That's 13 cents per litres less than Number Two Saskatchewan.

In Cochrane, the current price charged ranges from $149.9 to $1.47.9 per litre, yet just a few kilometres east in Bearspaw it's sitting at $143.9 per litre and $141.9 per litre on their discount days.

Seeing the price difference in the immediate area has motorists asking why.

Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy head of petroleum analysis, says that part of the answer lies in how fast, or in this case how slow gas stations respond to wholesale gas prices. 

“Some stations may simply pass it along faster or slower to the retail stations. It is really completely random how aggressive stations are in lowering prices," states De Hann. "There's really no golden rule. You may find a gas bar in a small town much cheaper or much more expensive than a larger city.” 

While gasoline has dropped in price in recent months, diesel has been heading the other direction and has a wider spread of pricing among local retailers. In Cochrane, the price per litre ranges from a high of $1.88.9 to a low of $1.81.9 per litre. With a quick look, it can be easily found for 10 cents per litre less in Calgary.

De Haan says the price increase in diesel is likely due to a tightening in demand as winter draws closer.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, warns the unprecedented events leading to the jump in gas prices aren't totally behind us, pointing to the ongoing COVID pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine

“While the recent drop in gas prices has been most welcomed, the issues that led to skyrocketing prices aren’t completely put to bed, and still could lead prices to eventually climb back up, should something unexpected develop.”

- with notes from Connor May