North Carolina Gas Prices Are Up. What Are You Paying At The Pump?

NORTH CAROLINA — Gas prices are up again in North Carolina by one cent over last week, hovering at $3.11 a gallon according to AAA. That's four cents more than one month ago and a whopping 90 cents more than a year ago.

In comparison, South Carolina's price average is at $3.02, or 85 cents higher than a year ago. Still, there is reason for concern that prices could climb higher.

“While crude oil prices have surged recently, we haven’t seen a dramatic increase at the pump yet,” said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group in the Carolinas. “If crude oil costs keep increasing, it’s only a matter of time before gas prices will follow.”

So far this year, crude oil has risen as much as 14 percent. Wednesday's settlement of $86.96 per barrel is the highest daily settlement since October 2014 due to global supply concerns.

Here are some tips from AAA to save on fuel:

• Combine errands to limit driving time.
• Shop around for the best gas prices in your community.
• Consider paying cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
• Remove excess weight in your vehicle.
• Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.
• Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained. An engine tune-up, new air filter and proper tire inflation can all help fuel economy.