Asheville -- October 19, 2026: North Carolina has the nation’s lowest statewide average price for regular gasoline, according to AAA’s Oct. 19 figures, while a temporary holiday suspends the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon fuel tax.
AAA listed North Carolina’s average at $3.61 per gallon, compared with a national average of $4.30. Its state comparison placed North Carolina below every other state.
The ranking comes during a temporary change in state tax policy. The General Assembly passed House Bill 3, known as “Relief at the Pump,” and Gov. Josh Stein signed it into law Oct. 9. The suspension began Oct. 10 and continues through Nov. 30, 2026.
Asheville Averages $3.73 per gallon
In the Asheville metro area, AAA reported an average of $3.73 per gallon for regular gasoline on Monday, Oct. 19. That was approximately 12 cents above North Carolina’s average and 56 cents below the national average.
Asheville’s average fell about 31 cents from a week earlier and 44 cents from a month earlier. Despite those declines, it remained approximately 90 cents higher than a year ago.
The Suspension Ends Nov. 30
The legislation also directs transfers from the state’s Stabilization and Inflation Reserve to replace revenue that designated funds would otherwise receive from the fuel tax. Those include the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund.
Under the enacted law, Nov. 30 is the final day of the tax holiday.