North Carolina Gas Prices: Everything You Need To Know
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Except for public transportation systems in larger cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, most North Carolinians rely on the automobile to get around. That means that a regular trip to one of the state’s 5,273 gas stations is frequent. What are prices like across the state? Keep reading as we explore the answers. We’ll rely on information from gasbuddy.com and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
A Look at North Carolina Gas Prices
A review of North Carolina gas prices includes a historical look at things. Here’s a five-year summary of average North Carolina gas prices using EIA data. The number reflects a combination of all fuel grades, rounded to the nearest cent. The EIA doesn’t track North Carolina gas prices separately, so these amounts are summary information for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Turning to gasbuddy.com, we assessed recent gasoline prices in five North Carolina cities. This review covers regular-grade gas for simplicity’s sake. Keep in mind that pricing can vary by block, zip code, and region. Information is not presented scientifically.
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Taxes and North Carolina Gas Prices
Unfortunately for North Carolina residents, the state has one of the highest fuel taxes in the country. It assesses a levy of 37.5 cents per gallon of gasoline or Diesel. How does this compare to neighboring states?
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It adds up to mostly lower gas prices in adjacent states. For example, someone buying gasoline in Virginia will pay less than a third of the taxes as a buyer in North Carolina. So, does it make sense for a North Carolina vehicle owner who lives near a state border to travel to a more favorable tax jurisdiction? Let’s run the numbers as we look at recent gas prices in nearby border city pairs. All prices reflect the current (as of this writing) cost per gallon of regular-grade gasoline.
We’ll also look at hypothetical fill-up costs (from empty) for a Ford F-150 with a 36-gallon tank and a Toyota Camry with a 16-gallon tank. Refueling costs are based on the lowest price, as reflected in each chart.
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Does it make sense to buy gas out of state? It depends on your vehicle and how convenient a cross-border gas station is located. Driving out of your way to refill a Camry and save a couple of dollars probably isn’t worth the time and effort. But, refueling a gas-hungry vehicle like a truck can keep an extra $5 to $10 in your pocket. It all depends if you need to make a special out-of-state trip or if this kind of journey is a regular activity.
Take note that cross-border gas shopping may not be cheaper in some instances (like for those living around Charlotte, NC). In other words, gas prices are affected as much by local market conditions as state-mandated taxes.
Help With North Carolina Gas Prices
While shopping for better gas prices can bring some savings, there are other ways to reduce refueling costs. It comes down to using less gas, to begin with. Here are some fuel-saving tips to try.
Maintain The Tires
Keeping your car’s tires in good condition is an essential part of ownership. Not only does this help with safety, but properly inflated tires maximize the car’s fuel economy potential. Get in the habit of checking tire pressure monthly (if the vehicle doesn’t have an automatic tire pressure management system). You can refer to the owner’s manual or the sticker on the driver’s side door jam for tire pressure information.
HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?
The answer to this question isn’t as simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.
Keep the Engine in Tip-Top Condition
A smooth-running engine helps squeeze every mile out of a gallon of gas. Begin by following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, including oil and filter changes. Check that all other fluids are kept at the proper levels, especially for the cooling system and transmission. Replacing the air and fuel filters can also help.
Limit Idling
It’s easy to get in the habit of sitting with the car running (and the air conditioner going), especially during North Carolina’s hot and humid summers. But, such action drains the fuel tank faster. In fact, the federal government estimates that an idling vehicle uses about half a gallon of gas every hour. Instead, turn off the engine, open the windows, and periodically run the A/C.
Alter Driving Practices
Paying more attention to driving habits is another way to reduce gas use. Start by slowing it down on the highway. Instead of keeping to the 70-mph speed limit on many major routes, drop down to 60-65 mph (the speed modern cars are engineered around to achieve maximum highway fuel economy).
Another fuel-gobbling practice worth skipping is stomping the gas pedal after the traffic light turns green (try gentle foot pressure, instead). And try coasting (as the situation allows) to slow down (instead of braking to a stop) to limit how much acceleration is required to get back up to speed.
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