ICYMI: Here's How Much Gas Prices Went Up Over Spring Break In NC

CHARLOTTE, NC — If you're hitting the road this week for spring break travel, you can expect higher prices at the pump in North Carolina, according to the AAA. While prices have jumped in the last month, Tar Heel State drivers still pay well below the national average for gas.

As of April 16, the national average for a gallon of gas is $2.83, which is 8 cents higher than it was a week ago, AAA said. The higher prices are occurring across the U.S., including in North Carolina, with some states on the West Coast price hikes as much as 20 cents per gallon this past week.

Gas prices are up in California by 20 cents, Nevada by 18 cents, Missouri by 13 cents and up by 12 cents in Oregon, Alaska, Washington, Utah and Colorado. Prices are up by 11 cents in Idaho and Kansas, AAA said.

In North Carolina, the average price of a gallon of gas is $2.68, which is 22 cents higher than a month ago but only 5 cents higher than the same gallon a year ago.

The current average per gallon in the Charlotte-Gastonia region of North Carolina is slightly lower than the state's, coming in at $2.64 per gallon. That is 22 cents higher than average prices recorded a month ago and 5 cents higher than prices a year ago in the metro region.

When it comes to finding the cheapest gas options, Charlotte drivers are neighbors with the some of the cheapest gas in the nation, according to AAA. This week, South Carolina's average was $2.52.

Top ten cheapest gas markets in the U.S. this week, according to AAA:

• Alabama - $2.50
• Mississippi — $2.51
• Arkansas — $2.52
• South Carolina — $2.52
• Louisiana — $2.54
• Texas — $2.57
• Virginia — $2.57
• Oklahoma — $2.59
• New Hampshire — $2.59
• Missouri — $2.60

You can keep up with AAA's gas prices for North Carolina here.