Dip in NC gasoline prices may spark holiday travel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A sharp drop in gasoline prices since spring may be the spark North Carolina motorists need to travel during the Christmas holiday.

AAA Carolinas says 2.4 million motorists are expected to drive 50 miles or more during the holiday travel period beginning Friday and lasting through Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Since May 6, gasoline prices in North Carolina have dropped 64 cents. The average price statewide is the cheapest since it hit $3.14 a gallon in early February, and the lowest since peaking at nearly $3.88 on May 6. More Info Fuel Tracker: Find lowest gas prices

The motor club also says gas prices in North Carolina are averaging 13 cents less than before Thanksgiving. Prices are expected to remain stable or slightly decrease due to a decline in demand and the congressional budget impasse.

In January, North Carolina's gasoline tax is going by almost 4 cents a gallon.

Revenue Secretary David Hoyle announced Tuesday the state motor fuels tax would grow by 3.9 cents per gallon to a record 38.9 cents starting Jan 1. State law directs the tax be recalculated automatically twice a year based on a formula linked to wholesale gas prices. The tax rose by 2.5 cents per gallon in July.

The upcoming tax increase falls in line with estimates made by the Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal staff.

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Latest Comments

"With all due respect you seem to have some sort of comprehension problem." - fayncmike

Actually, I believe thats you. You conveniently ignore the fact that increasing gas and diesel prices are directly tied to the price of goods, yet you campaign for higher fuel prices.

Moreover, youve said repeatedly, and Ill quote: "No one in their right mind needs anything more." Surely, none of us need anything more, right? No "right tool for the job", eh? Surely, Im not in my right mind for using a capable vehicle that can stop, maneuver and tow 10000 pounds and do it safely, right?

Right.

Ill extend you the invitation again: When you would like me to load your car with thousands of pounds of equipment and strap the trailer behind it, just let me know when and where.

Also, the amount of ignorance ("smog generators") is appalling here. Perhaps you should educate yourself a bit more: http://www.insideline.com/features/emissions-test-car-vs-truck-vs-leaf-blower.html

cucamelsmd15
December 27, 2011 12:25 p.m.

"And again fayncmike, you let me know when you would like to strap my 10,000 pound trailer to the back of your car to see how well it handles. I find it conveniently ironic that you've continued to ignore the fact that some people need a capable vehicle because its required.

I'm 99% sure the next thing you're going to tell me is that the Army doesn't really need Hummers, they could get by with a Prius. cucamelsmd15

With all due respect you seem to have some sort of comprehension problem. That has to do with understanding what you read. In earlier posts I did say that there is a minuscule (very small; "a minuscule kitchen"; "a minuscule amount of rain fell") number of people that may actually have a use for those huge smog generators. The huge majority (best part, bulk, greater number, greater part, larger part, lion's share, mass, max, more, more than half, preponderance, superiority) have absolutely no use for those enormous fossils except to reenforce their shattered egos.

fayncmike
December 27, 2011 8:23 a.m.

And again fayncmike, you let me know when you would like to strap my 10,000 pound trailer to the back of your car to see how well it handles. I find it conveniently ironic that you've continued to ignore the fact that some people need a capable vehicle because its required.

I'm 99% sure the next thing you're going to tell me is that the Army doesn't really need Hummers, they could get by with a Prius.

cucamelsmd15
December 26, 2011 6:20 p.m.

"Why, because I live within my means and don't piddle away money on worthless behemoth land yachts? Because I conserve and do my part to protect the environment? Because I, adequately provide for my family? Because I don't need a car the size of Delaware to reenforce a shattered ego? Common sense and adequate preparedness is not arrogance." fayncmike

Yeah, and if I didn't need to transport equipment and/or tow things, sure, I could buy a little clown car like you.

The disconnect is that you think because YOU are ok paying high gas prices that EVERYONE is ok paying high gas prices. It doesn't matter though, because when the price of diesel goes up, the price of all the goods that are transported using diesel (i.e. everything, including YOUR gas) goes up. Will you want that $10 a gallon gas when milk is $10, bread is $8 and you can barely afford to keep food on the table? Yeah, I didnt think so.

Its pretty clear that you dont understand "living within your means" or economics.

cucamelsmd15
December 26, 2011 6:18 p.m.

""Perhaps buying food is burdensome to you but I don't see it ever being a problem for me." -fayncmike

Ive seen some pompous arrogance in my time, but this absolutely takes the cake. cucamelsmd15"

Why, because I live within my means and don't piddle away money on worthless behemoth land yachts? Because I conserve and do my part to protect the environment? Because I, adequately provide for my family? Because I don't need a car the size of Delaware to reenforce a shattered ego? Common sense and adequate preparedness is not arrogance.

fayncmike
December 26, 2011 3:28 p.m.