(The Center Square) – Traditional transportation energy prices in North Carolina have dropped to the lowest level since before the COVID-19 era movement restrictions.

The average gallon of unleaded regular from Murphy to Manteo is $2.61, down a nickel from a week earlier and the lowest since state government restrictions led to prices below $2 a gallon in the spring of 2020. North Carolina is 20 cents better than the national average of $2.81, according to AAA.