Gas Prices Jump In NC Due To Winter Weather: Here's How Much

CHARLOTTE, NC — Drivers in North Carolina and around the U.S. are seeing spikes in gasoline prices at the pump this week. Recent winter weather shutdowns at refineries in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kansas have led to double-digit increases in prices for two-thirds of states, according to the AAA.

“When close to 40 [percent] of U.S. crude production is offline because refineries are closed, there is going to be pain at the pump until operations resume,” said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson. “The good news is the nearly two dozen impacted refiners are expected to restart operations this week, if they haven’t already. That means regular gasoline deliveries will resume and impacted stations will be re-fueled.”

In the past week, 66 percent of states in the U.S. — including North Carolina — saw a jump in gas prices between 10-22 cents, according to AAA.

As of Feb. 24, a gallon of regular gas averaged $2.50 in North Carolina, about 13 cents higher than the average reported a week ago and nearly 28 cents higher than one month ago. Despite the price jump, however, Tar Heel State drivers still pay well below the $2.66 national average for gas.

This past week, the largest price spikes reported were in Ohio by 22 cents, Arizona by 21 cents, Iowa by 21 cents, Minnesota y 18 cents, Georgia by 18 cents, Michigan by 17 cents, Wisconsin by 16 cents, Nebraska by 16 cents, Indiana by 16 cents and Maryland by 15 cents, AAA said.

The current average per gallon in the Charlotte-Gastonia region of North Carolina closely mirrors the state's, averaging $2.49 per gallon. That is 26 cents higher than average prices recorded a month ago in the metro region, according to AAA data.

When it comes to finding the cheapest gas options, Charlotte drivers are neighbors with the some of the cheapest gas in the nation, according to AAA. This week, South Carolina's average was $2.42.

Top ten cheapest gas markets in the U.S. this week, according to AAA:

• Mississippi — $2.27
• Louisiana — $2.31
• Texas — $2.32
• Arkansas — $2.35
• Alabama - $2.35
• Oklahoma — $2.36
• Utah — $2.38
• Missouri — $2.38
• Tennessee — $2.40
• South Carolina — $2.42

You can keep up with AAA's gas prices for North Carolina here.

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