news-record.com

Greensboro motorists looking for cheap gas may want to shop in High Point. It could be worth the drive.

AAA Carolinas reported Tuesday that High Point has the lowest average gas price in the state — $2.53 a gallon. That’s 8 cents cheaper than in Greensboro.

“There is something going on there that is out of the normal,” said Brendan Byrnes, a spokesman for the Charlotte-based motor club. “It’s tough to really say.”

What is clear is that gas prices in the Triad have reversed a recent trend and started to decline.

They’ve dropped about a nickel a gallon in the past week and could continue to fall.

“We may — put 'may’ in capital letters — have seen the peak price already this summer,” said Doug MacIntyre, a senior oil analyst at the Energy Information Administration in Washington.

Prices nationwide could average $2.50 “or a little below” this summer, he said. That compares with the current U.S. average of $2.63.

In the Triad, the recent declines come after seven weeks of rising prices, but won’t be enough to boost travel during the July Fourth holiday, according to AAA.

This will be the second year in a row that fewer Tar Heels will take to the highways on the Fourth.

AAA cited continued economic uncertainty for the anticipated 2.7 percent decline in motorists.

Prices began to fall June 20, and are down more than 5 cents across the state from an average high of $2.66. Gas prices had risen for 51 consecutive days.

Durham has the highest reported average gas price in the state at $2.66.

In Greensboro, the average comes in at $2.61, right at the state average, but it’s still 2 cents higher than Winston-Salem.

Gas prices in High Point have been cheaper than in Greensboro at least since Memorial Day.

One station operator said competition may be the reason.

A new Murphy USA station opened recently on High Point’s South Main Street.

“Usually, when they open a new station they do a promotion (selling cheaper gas) for two or three months to bring in new customers,” said Chang Lee, manager of Smitty’s One Stop on Lexington Avenue in High Point. “That could be it.”

AAA data show 13 stations in High Point selling gas for less than $2.50 a gallon, with the cheapest at $2.43. Ten of them are located on or near Main Street. No station in Greensboro advertised gas for less than $2.52.

Last June 30, prices averaged $3.99 a gallon statewide. However, they’re up nearly 35 cents since Memorial Day.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com.