Regional Gas Prices Diverge
Regional Gas Prices Rise Across Several States While National Average Dips Slightly
Anonymous
Gas prices rose over the week in several areas, including Baltimore at $4.36 a gallon, South Carolina at $4.08, Georgia at $4.19, Virginia at about $4.20–$4.24, North Carolina at $4.13 and Laramie County, Wyoming, at $4.26. GasBuddy’s national gasoline average edged down 1.6 cents to $4.42 a gallon, while diesel fell 4.1 cents to about $6.45; other reports put national gasoline prices in a range of roughly $4.30–$4.44. Analysts cited volatile crude prices, refinery disruptions and Middle East conflict, including uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz; President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal tied to reopening the shipping channel. Higher fuel costs are adding to transportation expenses and inflation, while Virginia lawmakers are divided over a temporary gas-tax suspension, with supporters citing driver relief and opponents warning of risks to road and bridge funding. Analysts say prices could shift with geopolitical developments, and drivers can reduce costs by comparing prices, using fuel rewards and driving more efficiently.
Key Points
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North Carolina's statewide average masked a wide range at the pump: GasBuddy reported a low of $3.69 and a high of $5.15 per gallon, a $1.46 gap. Nearby averages also varied, from $4.10 in Fayetteville to $4.18 in Charlotte.
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GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said regional refinery conditions were moving prices in opposite directions: a refinery restart helped drive the largest declines in the Great Lakes, while refinery problems sent prices sharply higher on the West Coast.
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AAA travel expert Ryan Adcock said 55 miles per hour is the optimal highway speed for gas mileage, and advised easing off the accelerator and braking gradually to conserve fuel.
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AAA spokesperson Morgan Dean recommended checking prices before a trip, seeking midweek discounts, using cash-back or fuel-rewards programs, and considering lower-priced fuel at membership clubs such as Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's.
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