Average gas prices in North Carolina increased by 15 cents in the past month—the highest rate since July 27, 2013, according to AAA Carolinas.

Now sitting at $3.53 per gallon as of April 8, gas prices are up from a month ago, when the price was $3.38.

After starting 2014 at $3.31 on Jan. 1, gas prices fell to a year-low of $3.28 on Feb. 8 before beginning an upward increase.

Prices typically tend to rise in the spring due to refinery maintenance, according to AAA. The tightened supply across the country results in higher gas prices. Refineries must also make the switch to summer fuel blends by May 1.

Gas prices are expected to continue to rise until refinery maintenance is completed, which is likely to be by the end of April.

Another factor that contributes to higher prices is an increase in gasoline demand due to warmer weather and the beginning of vacation-travel season.

Although demand will continue to climb as the beginning of summer nears, an increase in gasoline production will allow supply levels to keep up with that demand.

And good news for drivers, AAA Carolinas predicts that overall, gas prices for 2014 will be slightly cheaper than 2013.

Related Stories
‹
AAA: Thanksgiving Most-Traveled Holiday of the Year
People often travel to visit family during Christmas and New Year’s. But even more people travel for Thanksgiving. This week, an expected 1.4 million North Carolinians will travel 50 miles or more from their homes. “I would say it’s the holiday that has the most travel volume,” said Tiffany Wright, Public Relations Manager for AAA Carolinas. […]
Gas Prices Expected to Rise After Pipeline Shutdown
Officials at AAA Carolinas say they expect gas prices to climb after a gasoline explosion in Shelby County, Alabama, late Monday evening. Colonial Pipeline shut down Lines One and Two in response to the explosion. Tiffany Wright is the Public Relations Manager for AAA Carolinas. She says, “If September’s shutdown was any indicator of what we should […]
NC Gas Prices Could Drop Below $3
No guarantees, but AAA Carolinas says gas prices typically fall in the fall.
NC Gas Prices Continue To Climb For Easter Weekend
As drivers hit the highways for the Easter Weekend, North Carolina’s gas prices will continue to increase. But some good news for road warriors, fueling up this weekend will cost you less compared to Easter last year. While gasoline prices have climbed 36 cents a gallon since Christmas, they are still 5.6 cents a gallon […]
Busy Roads Expected for Holiday Travels, State Groups Promote Safety
This week is one of the busiest travel periods of each year, and many North Carolinians are hitting the road to see family and friends. A record-breaking number of North Carolinians are projected to be traveling over the next two weeks. AAA of the Carolinas predicts most travelers will be driving to their destinations, with […]
North Carolina Groups Promote Safety on the Road Ahead of Busy Thanksgiving
With AAA Carolinas estimating a record 1.34 million North Carolinians hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, many groups around the state are encouraging drivers to use safe practices. During last year’s Thanksgiving holiday season, there were 2,957 traffic accidents in North Carolina resulting in 1,155 injuries and 20 deaths, according to the Department of […]
AAA: Holiday Travel Could Hit Record in North Carolina
Nearly 3 million North Carolinians are expected to hit the road for the holidays, which AAA Carolinas said would be a record-breaking number. In addition to the roadways, nearly 300,000 North Carolinians will be traveling via airplane, train or bus. The organization said those overall figures would represent an increase of more than four percent […]
Memorial Day Expected to Reach Record High Travel Numbers
According to AAA Carolinas, an estimated 1,260,000 North Carolinians will be traveling this Memorial Day, the highest volume of Memorial Day travelers in the state since 2005. These numbers come despite there being higher than average gas prices, which AAA Carolinas spokesperson Tiffany Wright said won’t be slowing down travelers in the state this year. […]
AAA Carolinas Projects Record Number of Traveling Tar Heels for Thanksgiving
Pack your patience if you are heading out for holiday travel on Wednesday. AAA Carolinas estimates more than 1.4 million North Carolinians will be traveling more than 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period and nearly 90 percent of them will travel by vehicle. “That’s the largest number that we’ve seen since we’ve […]
NC Rural Roads Among Deadliest in Nation
North Carolina’s rural roads are some of the most unsafe in the nation, according to a recent study. TRIP, a national transportation research group, revealed in its rural road study earlier this week that North Carolina ranks eighth in the nation in rural road fatalities. AAA spokesperson Tiffany Wright spoke on the matter. “North Carolinians […]
›