AAA Expects Gas Prices To Remain Steady In The Carolinas Over Easter

After increasing 10 cents over the past month, gasoline prices in North and South Carolina have stabilized and are unlikely to increase dramatically for the Easter holiday weekend.
“No one can predict with certainty what will happen to gasoline prices this summer,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. “But the good news today is we are currently paying $1.20 per gallon less this Easter than last year and more than 60 cents a gallon less than two years ago.”
The average price for a gallon of unleaded self-serve gasoline in North Carolina on Wednesday was $2.01 and in South Carolina $1.899.  A month ago today North Carolina’s average price was $1.901; South Carolina’s $1.796.
Asheville had the highest priced gasoline in North Carolina at $2.059; Boone the cheapest at $1.967.
Charleston had the highest priced gasoline in South Carolina at $1.92; Spartanburg the cheapest at $1.845. South Carolina has 16 cents a gallon gasoline tax; North Carolina’s tax is approximately 30 cents a gallon.
The Easter holiday isn’t a traditionally heavy travel weekend, however, April typically signals increased gasoline prices as refineries due their heaviest maintenance of the year, reducing supply, and motorists begin driving more, increasing demand.
However, this year motorists on average are driving less and crude oil inventories, which are a hedge against increased prices, are the highest they have been in 16 years.
“These factors should help modulate gasoline prices between now and Memorial Day,” said Parsons.  “While U.S. refineries will reduce output as they retool to produce cleaner burning summer blend gasoline and perform their regular maintenance, plentiful gasoline from overseas is expected to keep supply ample.”
The Easter holiday offers a price barometer for the upcoming summer, when gas prices are expected to rise for the summer driving season but are unlikely to increase even to the level of two years ago when prices hovered between $2.70 and $3.00 a gallon.
Anyone who does travel this holiday will find all major highways open in South Carolina and in North Carolina lanes closures will occur on I-85 between mile markers 206 and 214 in Vance County and at exit 113 in Guilford County.
Motorists looking for ways to conserve gasoline and watch their wallet should consider:
• Buy the least expensive in your area, which can be found on www.aaa.com/fuelfinder.  Gasoline is federally regulated and virtually identical blends at different stations.
• Monitor driving behavior, follow the speed limit and avoid accelerating or decelerating quickly.  For every five miles per hour over 65 mph, gasoline efficiency decreases 10 percent.
• Make sure tires are properly inflated.
• Keep vehicles properly maintained, including scheduled oil changes and air filter replacements.  Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
• Avoid excess weight in your vehicle.  When vacationing, try to avoid strapping luggage on the roof where it causes drag and reduces fuel economy.
• Whenever possible, consolidate trips.

An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas was founded in 1922 as a not-for-profit organization that now serves more than 1.8 million members with travel, automobile and insurance services and is an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
Editor’s Note: A gas price comparison chart for NC and SC metro areas and a copy of the release can be found at www.aaacarolinas.com. Click on Media Center at the bottom of the page.