(The Center Square) – North Carolinians are paying more at the fuel pump than a month ago, though still a quarter less than the national average.

Friday morning’s statewide average, according to the American Automobile Association, is $3.38 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. A month ago it was $3.29. The national average is $3.66, up from $3.53 a month ago.

Two months ago, regular unleaded in North Carolina was about $3.10 per gallon.

Diesel fuel is an average of $3.94 per gallon. That’s down from $3.98 a month ago and near last year’s $4.00 on the same date. The national average is $4.01.

Eighteen states have lower average prices for unleaded; 23 are lower for diesel.

North Carolina this year taxes gasoline at 40.5 cents per gallon, up 2 cents from last year and the seventh-highest in the country. States higher are Pennsylvania (61 cents); California (54); Washington (49); and Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey (all 42). Diesel tax in North Carolina (40 cents per gallon) is 10th behind only Pennsylvania (78); Indiana (55); Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington (49 each); Ohio (47); Maryland (43); and California (41).

Among 14 major metro areas, unleaded gas is the least expensive in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton ($3.28) and most expensive in Durham-Chapel Hill ($3.49). Diesel is most consumer-friendly ($3.88) in Fayetteville.