Gas prices in the Southeast inch up amid tensions with Iran. Could costs go higher?
As tensions remain between the United States and Iran, drivers in the Southeast are paying a little more at the pump.
The price of crude oil increased following last week’s U.S. airstrike that killed Iran’s top general, McClatchy News reported.
Right away there was “market speculation” about the impact on gas prices, the American Automobile Association said Monday. But so far national prices have stayed mostly steady at an average $2.58 per gallon.
But drivers in the Southeast, including South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi, are paying more to fill up their gas tanks, according to AAA. Among the 10 states across the country that saw the biggest price jump from last week, seven are in the Southeast.
Will prices climb?
It’s too early to tell whether gas prices in the Southeast will rise more, AAA said.
“Whether the increase in crude oil prices will continue to drive local gas prices up depends on the duration of the influx,” Tiffany Wright, AAA Carolinas spokesperson, said in a news release. “Hopefully, any increase will be short lived, although it’s still too early to tell the impact we’ll feel across the Carolinas.”
Crude oil prices are usually more expensive during “current events,” Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson, said in a release.
“What this increase means in terms of retail prices is yet be seen,” Casselano said in the release. “It depends on how expensive crude oil prices go and the duration at which it sells at a higher price point.”
Here’s a rundown of prices in some southeastern states:
North Carolina
The average gas price in North Carolina is $2.47, up one cent from last week, AAA Carolinas said Monday.
Charlotte and Hickory saw the biggest price increases — an average 4 cents. Asheville also saw an increase, while prices in Durham and Greensboro stayed the same. Fayetteville, Raleigh and Wilmington saw a slight dip in prices.
South Carolina
The average price of gas in South Carolina is $2.36 a gallon, a 4 cent increase from last week, AAA said.
Gas is more expensive this week in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Hilton Head, Rock Hill and Spartanburg, according to AAA Carolinas. Prices in Greenville and Myrtle Beach decreased by 1 cent.
Charleston saw the biggest jump in price, with the average cost increasing from $2.30 last week to $2.42 this week.
Georgia and Mississippi
Drivers in Georgia and Mississippi saw two of the biggest increases in fuel prices in the country.
The average cost of gas went up 4 cents this week in both states, according to AAA Carolinas. The only states that saw bigger increases were Florida, Tennessee and Alabama.
Costs went up by 7 cents in Florida and Tennessee and five cents in Alabama, AAA said.
Drivers in Georgia are now paying an average $2.46 for a gallon of gas, according to AAA Georgia.
