Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) benchmark
North Carolina Gas Prices
Regular gasoline, all formulations, including taxes · Week ending Oct 26, 2026
Regular gasoline · Oct 26, 2026
Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) regional average (state benchmark) average price per gallon
$4.199 −$0.050
vs. week earlier · -1.2%
−$0.070 vs U.S. average ($4.269)
- 4 weeks ago
- $4.369
- Year ago
- $2.934
- 52-week low
- $2.780
- 52-week high
- $4.490
5-year weekly trend
USD / gallonWeekly retail average, all formulations, including taxes. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Latest available week: 2026-10-26.
All-time high
$5.020
Jun 13, 2022
All-time low (since 2000)
$1.110
Dec 24, 2001
What drivers in North Carolina are paying this week
North Carolina does not have a published weekly statewide average, so the reference number above is the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) average of $4.199. That regional benchmark fell $0.050 week over week and is $0.070 below the national average of $4.269. Stations in North Carolina typically trade within roughly 20 to 40 cents of the regional figure, depending on distance from the nearest terminal and local taxes.
North Carolina sits slightly above the Southeast average. The state fuel tax is moderate, and supply comes from Gulf Coast pipelines that terminate in the Charlotte and Raleigh corridors.
Why North Carolina gas prices land where they do
- Colonial Pipeline serves Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh terminals.
- State fuel tax adjusts twice a year based on wholesale prices.
- Coastal counties pay more because fuel is trucked from inland terminals.
These are structural factors, not daily noise. They explain why North Carolina tends to sit in the same part of the national price range week after week, even when the national average moves. For the general mechanics behind these forces, see our guide on how gas prices are set.
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina has no bordering state with a published weekly average, so the most useful comparison is the national average of $4.269 and the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) benchmark of $4.199. The state currently sits $0.070 lower than the national figure.
Ways to spend less on gas in North Carolina
- Membership warehouses such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s usually price 10 to 30 cents below nearby branded stations.
- Stations a few miles off the interstate are often cheaper than the first exit, because they pay less for land and rely on local traffic.
- Apps that show station-level prices are worth using for the last mile — our numbers give you the regional baseline, they give you the address.
- Keeping tires at the recommended pressure and removing roof racks can recover 3 to 6 percent of fuel economy, which is worth 10 to 20 cents a gallon at current prices.
Want a number instead of a rule of thumb? The commute cost calculator turns your own miles and MPG into a weekly and annual fuel bill, using the current North Carolina price as the default.
How we source North Carolina prices
Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's weekly retail gasoline survey, which reports average retail prices in dollars per gallon including taxes. We rebuild the page every week after the survey is released, so the date on the price panel always matches the data behind it. We do not estimate missing state numbers; where the EIA does not publish a statewide series, we label the regional benchmark instead. Full details are in our methodology and data sources pages.
The bottom line for North Carolina drivers
At the regional benchmark of $4.199 per gallon, a 12-gallon fill-up in North Carolina costs about $50.39. Over a 15,000-mile year at 28 MPG, that implies roughly $2249 in fuel, before any local station discounts.
North Carolina gas price FAQ
What is the average gas price in North Carolina right now?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly statewide retail average for North Carolina. The closest official benchmark is the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) average, which was $4.199 per gallon for the week ending Oct 26, 2026. Local station prices in North Carolina typically fall within roughly 20 to 40 cents of that regional figure.
Is gas cheaper in North Carolina than the national average?
North Carolina is compared against the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) benchmark rather than a statewide number. The region averaged $4.199 versus the national average of $4.269, so North Carolina stations are best described as tracking below the national figure.
Why are gas prices low in North Carolina?
Colonial Pipeline serves Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh terminals. State fuel tax adjusts twice a year based on wholesale prices. Coastal counties pay more because fuel is trucked from inland terminals. These factors matter more than the national average in determining what local stations charge, because fuel markets are regional, not national.
Where can I find the cheapest gas in North Carolina?
Station-level pricing is not part of the EIA dataset, so we do not publish a cheapest-station list. In practice, the lowest prices in North Carolina are usually at membership warehouses, at high-volume stations on secondary roads rather than interstate exits, and at stations in lower-cost suburban counties. Use a station-level price app for the final address and our North Carolina benchmark to judge whether the price you see is reasonable.
Will gas prices go down in North Carolina?
Nobody can forecast a specific week with confidence. What can be said is mechanical: North Carolina prices follow crude oil costs, regional refining capacity, seasonal fuel specifications, and local taxes. When crude falls and refineries run normally, prices usually follow within two to four weeks. When a refinery goes down or a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast, the move can reverse within days.