Gas prices dropped slightly from its peak a few days ago, slowly pulling away from the $4 mark in North Carolina.
The statewide average for a gallon of gas is $3.87, down a couple cents from Monday.
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In Raleigh, it’s a bit more at $3.89 per gallon.
In central North Carolina, Durham and Chapel Hill have the highest average gas prices at $3.95 per gallon.
The prices are about $1 more compared to this time in 2025.
Some small changes can help drivers save at the pump. It includes driving smarter, having better maintenance and implementing a few simple habits.
Consumer Reports senior autos reporter Keith Barry said driving slower can help drivers save money.
“So, we actually tested this at our test track and found if you slow down from 75 mph to 65 mph, you can save six or seven miles a gallon, depending upon the car you're driving,” Barry said.
Barry said drivers’ driving style also impacts how much gas they use.
“The harder you accelerate, the harder your engine works — and the more gas it burns,” Barry said.
Barry recommends drivers gently accelerate and drive steady to save on gas. Driving more slowly also puts less wear and tear on a car’s engine, brakes and tires.
Also, Barry recommends keeping a car’s tires properly inflated. He also said putting anything on the car can cost a driver.
“Keep in mind that anything you put on the car is going to increase drag and decrease fuel economy and sometimes in a big way,” he said. “So, we found that if you’re driving around with two bikes on the roof, you can lose 13 miles a gallon. And also, if you are driving around with an empty roof rack, you can lose five miles a gallon.”
The WRAL Fuel Tracker and other apps like GasBuddy can help drivers compared the price of gas at stations nearby.
Also, unless a car requires it, skip the premium fuel.
Some big-box stores like Costco and BJ’s often offer customers cheaper gas, especially if they’re already a member.
