Source: NC PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE, 9/22/17

Gas prices are slowly starting to come down in North Carolina following the spike due to Hurricane Harvey.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in North Carolina last week was $2.62 and has since fallen to $2.57.
The current national average for a gallon of gas is $2.58, 38 cents higher than before Hurricane Harvey hit Texas.

As refineries, pipelines and gasoline deliveries are returning to normal operations post-Harvey, gas prices are expected to gradually decline, according to a spokesperson for AAA.

“I am looking forward to see gas prices return to normal,” said Chapel Hill resident Vicky Tsakas. “My car requires premium gasoline, and it’s not fun being a college student on a budget having to shell out $15 more for a full tank.”

The lowest price for regular gas in the Chapel Hill area as of Friday was $2.49 per gallon, with the highest gas station topping off at $2.69. The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Chapel Hill-Durham-Raleigh is $2.57, according to AAA.

“Even though I’m residing in Chapel Hill, I tend to only fill up when I’m visiting my family in Holly Springs so I can receive the discount at the Harris Teeter gas station,” said Michelle Chang, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill. “Especially with the higher prices lately, it seems worth it to me to drive a little further in order to receive a discount per gallon.

Compared to the prices in Chapel Hill, gas prices in the Raleigh suburb of Holly Springs tend to be a few cents cheaper on average.

As of Friday morning, Brent Crude oil was at a price of $55.50 per barrel, down from $56.18 yesterday. West Texas Intermediate was slightly cheaper at $50.78 per barrel.

Barrel prices affect the prices consumers pay at the pump.