Gas Prices in North Carolina Today
Track today's average gas price in North Carolina, compare it to the national average, and estimate your fuel costs with a free calculator. Data updated daily from EIA.
About Gas Prices in North Carolina
Gas prices in North Carolina are reported daily by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) as part of their weekly survey of fuel retailers. The price shown is a statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline. Prices at individual stations in North Carolina may be higher or lower depending on location, brand, and local competition.
Several factors influence North Carolina's gas price: state fuel taxes, the distance from major refineries, pipeline and distribution infrastructure, and the required seasonal fuel blend. Use the calculator above to see exactly how today's North Carolina price affects your commute, road trip, or monthly driving budget.
North Carolina Fuel Taxes: ≈41¢/gal
North Carolina has one of the higher state gas taxes in the Southeast. North Carolina's motor fuels tax sits around 40 cents per gallon — noticeably higher than neighboring South Carolina and Georgia. The rate is adjusted annually using a formula tied to population growth and energy prices, so it tends to creep upward over time rather than jumping with one-off legislation.
Tax figures are approximate state-level taxes and fees per gallon of regular gasoline and exclude the 18.4¢/gal federal excise tax. Rates change — verify current rates with the state's revenue or transportation department.
How North Carolina Gets Its Gasoline
North Carolina has no refineries. Nearly all of its gasoline arrives from Gulf Coast refineries through the Colonial and Plantation pipeline systems that cross the state on the way to the Northeast. That dependence shows up whenever the Colonial Pipeline has problems — the 2016 leak and the 2021 ransomware shutdown both caused visible shortages and price spikes in North Carolina within days.
Where Gas Is Cheapest and Most Expensive in North Carolina
Prices in the Piedmont metros — Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh-Durham — are usually the most competitive thanks to dense station competition along the pipeline corridor. The mountain west around Asheville and the Outer Banks and coastal tourist areas typically run 10–20 cents higher due to trucking distance and seasonal demand.