Gas prices continue to climb

News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
·2 min read

Jan. 18—RUTHERFORDTON — Area motorists have found the start of 2023 to be pricey at the pump.

Gas prices continue to rise with the state's average as of Wednesday (Jan. 18) at $3.23 per gallon, compared to the national average of $3.36. With the exception of Florida ($3.38), states south of North Carolina are finding prices less. The average in South Carolina is $3.10, with Georgia at $3.16. Other than Virginia ($3.26), gas prices throughout the South fare better than North Carolina.

Earlier this month, AAA Carolinas attributed the surge in pas prices to robust holiday travel and the frigid temperatures during December. But the Auto Club Group did not project the recent uptick, which seems to by climbing daily. In fact, they called for gas prices to dip, especially closer to February.

"Gas prices will likely dip again as we head toward February," said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson for AAA, on Jan. 9. "But it's also likely that the averages we saw heading into the holidays may have been the lows for this winter."

Prices did appear to seesaw with significant swings in early January before consistently trending upward. Gas prices are 30 cents higher than a month ago, and 4 cents higher than a year ago, according to AAA Carolinas.

GasBuddy also projected favorable prices as demand weakens.

"Barring unexpected challenges, prices in 2023 should return to normal fluctuations, rising in the spring, and dropping after Labor Day into the fall," GasBuddy reported in late December.

However, the fuel savings platform also warned of possible volatility that could affect prices. It projects gas prices to reach an average of $4.19 by the end of June.

"2023 is not going to be a cakewalk for motorists. It could be expensive," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a December. "The national average could breach $4 per gallon as early as May — and that's something that could last through much of the summer driving season. Basically, curveballs are coming from every direction."

Among those curveballs, the prolonged war in Ukraine at the hands of Russia will continue to impact oil prices.