No relief

There's been little relief for consumers lately at the gas pumps in Lenoir County. Gas prices continue to rise but are still much lower than their record highs from last year.

Kinston resident Jane Garner visited Murphy's at West Vernon Avenue on Monday afternoon where she spent nearly $40 to fill up her Jeep Liberty's gas tank, which was half-full before she stopped at the gas station.

"I have noticed the prices come down a little in the past 24 hours," Garner said. "I hope they keep going back down."

Garner's observation was partially accurate. Gas prices nationally dropped Monday for the first time during the past 54 days, according to AAA.

The national average for a price of unleaded gasoline Monday was $2.69, as compared to $2.693 the day before.

While three-tenths of a cent drop doesn't seem like much, local residents said they will take any cut in the price they can get.

"I am living day to day," Shelia Willard of Maury said. "The higher gas prices are tough on all of us."

Willard, too, filled up her vehicle's gas tank Monday at Murphy's. Willard said she works as a waitress at the Golden Corral, which is located next to Murphy's. It costs Willard up to $20 every day to fill up her gas tank.

"I have to drive back and forth every day to Maury and rely on tips to buy gas," Willard said. "These gas prices are taking all the extra money I got."

Garner agreed with Willard and said if gas prices continue to climb during the summer months, fewer people will likely take planned vacations.

Garner said she still plans to take a vacation this summer at Nags Head even if gas prices rise above $3 per gallon. When gas prices were near $4 gallon last summer, Garner said she spent an average of $90 to fill up her vehicle's gas tank.

"I hope it doesn't get that bad again," Garner said.

Two states with unleaded gasoline prices currently above $3 this week are California and Hawaii.

North Carolina's average gas price Monday was $2.65 per gallon. During the same period during 2008, the state's average gas price was $3.97 per gallon.

On Monday, gas stations in Kinston offered gas between $2.56 to $2.65 per gallon. Murphy's had the lowest price per gallon at $2.56.

Since Jan. 1, the nation's average gas price has increased 67 percent, according to AAA.  Crude oil dropped to $33.87 per barrel in December. Since then, the price per barrel has more than doubled.

According to AAA, the price per barrel was nearly $70 Monday. Last July, crude oil per barrel prices had reached $147 and the national average per gallon was $4.11.

It's been a roller coaster ride since then for gas prices as the recession and financial market meltdown drove demand for gas down in the consumer market. The national average for gas per gallon in early January was $1.61, according to AAA.

Recent political tensions in Iran have caused uncertainties in the crude oil market worldwide, according to AAA.

If Iran's unrest continues, Andrew Delmege, AAA Regulatory Affairs manager, said investors may become more concerned about the long-term crude oil supply and prices at the pump could increase in the coming months.

Willard and Garner don't expect the gas prices to drop to their January lows again.

"We can't afford the prices to go much higher like they did last year," Garner said.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559 1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.

Regular gas prices

North Carolina

Current avg. $2.65

Week ago avg. $2.60

Month ago avg. $2.36

Year ago avg. $3.90

National

Current avg. $2.69

Week ago avg. $ 2.69

Month ago avg. $2.40

Year ago avg. $4.07