Charlotte average gas prices up 3 cents from last week

The average price of a gallon of unleaded gas in the Charlotte metro area continues its steady climb this week but remains cheaper than statewide and nationwide average prices.

As of early Tuesday, the average price of gas in the Charlotte area is $2.45, up about 3 cents from a week ago but still about $1.16 cheaper than it was a year ago, according to auto group AAA.

North Carolina’s average price is $2.505, up about 3 cents from a week ago yet about $1.13 cheaper than it was a year ago. Nationwide, gas is $2.658 a gallon, 3 cents pricier from one week ago and almost $1 cheaper than it was a year ago.

South Carolina’s gas remains the least expensive in the country at $2.368 a gallon.

Gas across the U.S. is the priciest it’s been all year, AAA said in a report Monday, but it’s still at the cheapest level for this date since 2009. Gas prices may not rise significantly until Memorial Day weekend, which would mean the cheapest gas prices for that time of year in at least five years.

AAA anticipates car travel over the Memorial Day weekend will be up 5.3 percent (33 million travelers) compared with last year, making it the highest volume in a decade.

Gas prices will continue to be moved by global oil prices. As of early Tuesday, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude, the domestic benchmark, was $60.34 a barrel, and Brent crude, the international benchmark, was $66.33 a barrel.

This story was originally published May 12, 2015 at 8:05 AM with the headline "Charlotte average gas prices up 3 cents from last week."