ASHEVILLE, NC (WLOS) — Summer is over, kids have to go back to school, and vacations are on hold. All of this is leading to a drop in gasoline demand, and when demand drops, prices drop too.

According to AAA, prices could fall below $3 next Labor Day for the first time since February. Before this decline, consumer fuel prices were last this low in October 2021.

Demand has been low in recent weeks, which could lead to a potential decline. It takes a while for the market to catch up with the pace of consumers.

But AAA representative Tiffany Wright said other factors also play a role.

GASBUDDY REPORT: GAS PRICES IN ASHEVILLE FALL SLIGHTLY; NATIONAL AVERAGE ALSO FALLS

“Don’t be surprised if, depending on where you’re traveling, where your destination is, you don’t feel a little bit like, ‘Why was this gas station 10 cents cheaper than the one that was just a few blocks away?'” Wright said. “I mean, it just depends on the gas station. It depends on when they got their gas, what they were buying at the time, and it just all depends on the oil market.”

The average price of gasoline is $3.35 nationwide, but in North Carolina it averages $3.11 per gallon, and further price reductions are expected.

However, experts say circumstances could change as hurricane season is still in full swing. AAA also warns against panicking and rushing to the gas station as this could drive up prices.

Current information on local gas prices can be found at Pump Patrol by News 13.