(The Center Square) – Three weeks from summer, and into the first unofficial week of it, North Carolinians are paying a quarter less per gallon of gas than the national average.

Thursday morning’s averages, according to the American Automobile Association, are $3.31 for the state and $3.56 for the nation for unleaded regular. That’s down a nickel from a month ago, up 3 cents from a year ago for the state; and nationally, down 7 cents from a month ago and a penny from a year ago.