Gas prices fell in 2013, expected to decrease in 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Filling up the gas tank last year proved to be less painful than in years past.

"North Carolina motorists paid the lowest for any year since 2010," said Angela Vogel-Daley with AAA Carolinas.

AAA Carolinas officials said 2013 was better on the pocketbook. Last year, a gallon of regular unleaded cost North Carolina drivers an average of $3.43 – down 13 cents from 2012 and 4 cents from 2011.

It's the cheapest since 2010, when prices averaged $2.72.

"2011 and 2012 were very volatile years. We saw huge gas price spikes," Vogel-Daley said.

Vogel-Daley said it's thanks to increased supplies of oil and people driving more fuel-efficient cars.

The lower prices at the pump will likely last into 2014. Prices are expected to drop an average of 10 cents this year, which is what drivers in Charlotte wanted to hear.

The cheapest gas prices in the country are in South Carolina. AAA says drivers there paid the least for gas in the nation for the second year in a row.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the state was $3.24 in 2013 – 25 cents below the national average.

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Find the lowest gas prices around the area.

Find the lowest gas prices around the area.

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