Only 2 NC counties have an average gas price under $4 a gallon

Gas prices surged again overnight to a record high in North Carolina. They are at their most expensive level yet.

At 3 a.m., AAA indicated a 12 cent jump in Raleigh over the past 24 hours, where the average gas price is now $4.15 a gallon, although gas is more than that in many places.

Only two counties in western North Carolina still have an average price under $4 a gallon -- in Ashe County, the average is $3.94, and in Alleghany County, the average is $3.97.

Gas has not been this expensive since 2008, when the country was in a recession.

According to the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, prices could start rising on other goods as well.

Robert Handfield, a supply chain expert at North Carolina State University, said drivers should get used to the higher gas prices, because we’ll likely be dealing with this for months.

In Raleigh, the price of gas has risen nearly 10-15% in the last week alone.

Handfield explained several things that could help slow the rapid spike, including reducing the gas tax at a state and federal level, using oil from Iran and utilizing new supplies from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC.

Until one of these happens, the additional cost will be passed down to the consumer, Handfield said.

Handfield added that looking for the cheapest gas will likely only save you around 10 cents and could end up costing you money if you’re driving out of your way to get it.

Prices have climbed since last Friday, when AAA reported the average price for a gallon of gas in Wake County was $3.76, higher than the state's average of $3.74 but lower than the national average of $3.84.

The rise in gas prices is still putting pressure on people in the Triangle -- especially on professionals who drive for a living.

Truck, taxi and food delivery drivers tell WRAL News the price surge could be a blow for professionals whose businesses run on gas.

Experts say prices could tick even higher if tensions continue between Ukraine and Russia, a major exporter of fuel.

Jose Guzman, the owner of Guzman Moving and Storage in Raleigh, said he’s being mindful of how much time he’s spending on the road.

High gas prices are making it harder for him to run his job. Most of his business comes from within the Triangle, but an out of market trip to Greensboro was a big reality check.

"That’s when it really hit me those gas prices, just to get there was going to cost us in fuel, like $200, which is ridiculous," he said.

Guzman wants to offset costs without having to increase prices for his customers.

"We're trying to be as efficient as possible ... maybe not bring the bigger trucks out at one time so we don’t have to make multiple trips on any jobs ... that can really eat us right there," he said.

Between last Wednesday and Thursday, gas prices jumped nearly 40 cents at some local gas stations.

Fuel Tracker: Find lowest gas prices

At a Circle K station on Lake Boone Trail, gas was $3.79 per gallon on March 3. On March 2, it was $3.42.

During his State of the Union address earlier this month, President Joe Biden said the U.S. is taking steps to release oil from reserves in hopes of easing the increases at the pump.

High prices at the pump impact just about everyone, but bring a big blow to businesses that run on gas. WRAL News spoke to drivers and small business owners who say they’ve had to make some tough choices as gas prices increase.

"We have to cut back on days of work possibly," said James Hays, a small business owner. "But then again, you know, you're trading one thing for another. So you're not making money but yet you're not spending money, so you're just staying at a level plateau, but you can only do that so long because you have to pay bills."

Clarence Green, a DoorDash driver, spends up to four hours a day delivering food.

"Gas prices are ridiculous," he said. "Gotta keep it moving some time, some way, some how. I'm determined."