AAA Carolinas predicts Gas Prices will rise as Spring approaches

For the first quarter of the year, gas prices have been expensive, reports AAA Carolinas. On average, motorists are paying a quarter more than at the same time last year. In North Carolina, prices are currently $2.41 and in South Carolina, the average is $2.28. While pump prices have dipped in recent weeks, this is not a trend consumers should expect to linger. AAA forecasts the national gas price average will be as much as $2.70 a gallon this spring, a costly pump price Americans have not paid since summer of 2015 when prices hit $2.81. “Motorists will start to see gas prices make their spring spike in early April. That is when refinery maintenance is expected to be wrapped-up and the switchover to more expensive summer-blend gasoline kicks in along with warmer weather and typical demand increases,” said Tiffany Wright, AAA Carolinas spokesperson. “Consumers can expect prices to likely increase throughout April, May and into the start of summer and many may have to make decisions on where they can cut costs to cover gas prices that are potentially 40-cents more per gallon.” AAA expects summer gas prices to be just as expensive as spring prices, but with the potential that they may not increase at such a quick rate. Heading into summer, a variety of factors including U.S. gasoline supply-demand levels, domestic gasoline production rates, and global crude demand will help better shape the summer forecast. ​AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2.1 million members and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.