Business

Charlotte-area gas prices rise 5 cents over the week

Interstate 85 northbound at I-77 in Charlotte in an April file photo.
Interstate 85 northbound at I-77 in Charlotte in an April file photo. dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com

Gas prices in the Charlotte area and beyond are up over the week as demand has started to increase moving into the summer driving season.

As of early Tuesday, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gas in the Charlotte metro had risen 5 cents over the week, according to auto group AAA. In North Carolina, prices jumped 8 cents. In South Carolina, they rose 5 cents. And nationwide, prices rose 5 cents.

It’s not unusual for gas prices to rise in the second quarter, AAA said in a report this week. It’s also possible that the cheaper gas is encouraging people to drive more, AAA said, because current gas consumption is approaching levels typical of summer months.

If demand outpaces supply, prices could keep going up. Still, AAA said, drivers can expect to enjoy the cheapest summertime prices in 12 years.

Below are the average gas prices in the Charlotte metro, which includes Gastonia and Rock Hill, in the Carolinas and in the U.S. AAA surveys 120,000 stations nationwide to determine average prices.

Charlotte

North Carolina

South Carolina

U.S.

Current

$2

$2.04

$1.89

$2.11

Week ago

$1.95

$1.96

$1.84

$2.06

Year ago

$2.31

$2.34

$2.20

$2.45

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 6:57 AM with the headline "Charlotte-area gas prices rise 5 cents over the week."

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