Charlotte-area gas prices slide 3 cents over the week
Charlotte-area gas prices continue to slide, thanks to low seasonal demand as well as the low price of crude oil.
Prices at the pump in the Charlotte region, which includes Gastonia and Rock Hill, fell 3 cents over the week, according to auto group AAA. Prices fell 2 cents in North Carolina and dropped 3 cents in South Carolina. The national average price crept up about a penny.
Drivers in 43 states are paying below $2 on average for a gallon of unleaded gas, said AAA, which surveys 120,000 stations nationwide to determine average prices.
In a report this week, AAA noted that the national average cost of gas has been under pressure because of regional price spikes, namely in California because of refinery issues. But because the demand for fuel is low this time of year, and supply is ample, average prices are expected to remain low in the near term, AAA said.
Drivers, AAA noted, are currently saving more than $1 a gallon from the 2015 peak price in June.
Below are the average prices in the Charlotte area and beyond as of early Tuesday.
Charlotte | North Carolina | South Carolina | U.S. | |
Current | $1.65 | $1.68 | $1.50 | $1.71 |
Week ago | $1.68 | $1.70 | $1.53 | $1.70 |
Year ago | $2.21 | $2.23 | $2.06 | $2.30 |
This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 8:46 AM with the headline "Charlotte-area gas prices slide 3 cents over the week."