Gas prices increase a nickel

Average price per gallon goes up over weekend.

You'll pay a little more to fill up the car this week.

Charlotte-area gas prices mushroomed about a nickel per gallon on average over the weekend, according to AAA data. Some individual stations have boosted prices close to a dime per gallon since late last week, as oil costs soared.

Charlotte's average for regular was $2.27 over the weekend -- a six-week high. On Sunday, many Charlotte-area stations already charged $2.30 or more a gallon for regular.

And gas prices should keep rising through April's Easter holiday and school spring breaks.

Gas typically rises nationwide in the weeks leading to Easter as demand picks up after the worst of winter and refineries curb production for regular repairs.

Prices got a jolt last week when oil traders were spooked by an unexpected fall in gas supplies and talk of sanctions against oil-rich Iran for its nuclear program.

Crude oil, which accounts for the bulk of pump costs, hit 2007 highs on Friday. Wholesale gas costs followed in tandem, reaching a near six-month high.

"This is a little scary because it's happening so early," AAA Carolinas spokesman Tom Crosby said. "But there's some anticipation about the spring built into these prices."

That could be good news for spring travelers. Easter-time fill-ups in Charlotte last year cost around $2.70 a gallon as oil prices spiked on supply fears.

This year, the markets have been calmer and gas prices should peak around $2.50, analysts said.

But area drivers did catch a small break: After spending much of the year with the Carolinas' priciest gas, Charlotte's weekend average of $2.27 was among the cheapest, minus state sales tax.

"Just as I couldn't understand why we had the highest prices, I can't see why we now have the lowest," Crosby said. "It appears there are some forces at play that have nothing to do with how much gas stations are selling."

Prices at the Pump

CURRENT MONTH AGO YEAR AGO
Charlotte $2.27 $2.19 $2.20
North Carolina $2.29 $2.12 $2.21
South Carolina $2.17 $1.96 $2.08
Nation $2.34 $2.15 $2.25


Note: Average for a gallon of regular

SOURCE: AAA