Charlotte-area gas prices unchanged over the week
Gas prices in the Charlotte area were unchanged over the week but rose slightly in the rest of the Carolinas as Canadian wildfires and supply disruptions abroad pushed oil prices up.
As of early Tuesday, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gas in North Carolina was up 2 cents over the week, according to auto group AAA. In South Carolina, the average price per gallon was up one penny, and the U.S. average price was up by 2 cents.
It’s normal for gas prices to rise this time of year as the summer driving season gets underway. In fact, demand for gas in the U.S. last week hit its highest level since August, AAA said in a report this week, citing the Energy Information Administration.
Helping to push up oil prices slightly were the wildfires in Canada and ongoing issues in the Middle East, North Africa, Nigeria and Venezuela, AAA said.
Despite higher demand, drivers are still enjoying relatively cheap gas thanks to ample supplies nationwide. In Charlotte, for example, drivers are saving 37 cents a gallon now compared with this time last year.
Below are the average prices in the Charlotte region, which includes Rock Hill and Gastonia, 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 | $2.11 | $2.17 | $2.02 | $2.23 |
Week ago | $2.11 | $2.15 | $2.01 | $2.21 |
Year ago | $2.48 | $2.54 | $2.38 | $2.70 |
This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Charlotte-area gas prices unchanged over the week."