Crude Oil Surge Pushes Gas Prices to New Heights

Gas prices in the High Country have skyrocketed to their highest levels since spring, driven by crude oil climbing back above $100 per barrel. According to AAA, the North Carolina average has jumped roughly 20 cents in a single week to $4.16 per gallon, while the national average stands at $4.475 per gallon.

The surge is attributed to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption has put sustained upward pressure on pump prices nationwide.

Diesel prices have also reached record territory, with the national average reaching approximately $6.25 per gallon, near the all-time record of $6.31 set in mid-September 2026.