By Dan Geohagan
The Parsons Advocate
Parsons, WV- The price of gas on average in the Parsons area is currently $2.29 on average and goes up to $2.39 a gallon in the Thomas-Davis area. If you travel to Elkins though, you find that the price of gas drops all the way down to a $1.99 average. Why is that? No one really seems to know. This reporter contacted the Regional Manager for Sheetz to ask why there was a .30 difference from Elkins to Parsons but he failed to comment.
“I believe that since Elkins is a more populated area that they are able to sell their gasoline cheaper as they have more business,” Said Shanna Tacy a local to Tucker County. “I buy my gas in town but I don’t travel that far only four miles a day on average.”
With the difference being so significant, is the price difference due to population, or because of the presence of large corporations in the city of Elkins.
“I think it is location,” Said Ben Gooden a local in Tucker County. “It’s not worth it to go just for gas but when you are going to Elkins to get groceries which are a lot cheaper in which you are able to save money by actually driving to Elkins.”
The gas prices fluctuate to come closer to a common number but usually keeps at least a .20 cent gap. I contacted the county commission board for Tucker County but the office declined to comment. Similar actions were taken by the Randolph County Commissioners offices as well.
Until further light can be brought up in this matter, it seems that we will just have to be left up to our own opinions and stories as to why the gap is so large.
