Circle K Fuel Day: Discount gas offer Thursday at gas stations nationwide

Thursday is Circle K Fuel Day at participating locations across the United States.

People can search for a gas station near them on Circle K's website to get 40 cents off each gallon between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 25.

The offer is available at hundreds of stations across North Carolina and at dozens in the Triangle area.

It comes at the start of Memorial Day weekend, when still-high gas prices are more tolerable than last summer's record highs.

The national average for a gallon of regular was $3.56 at midweek, down from $4.60 at this time last year, according to AAA. Renting a car is also cheaper than a year ago, when some popular destinations ran out of vehicles. Travel company Expedia said larger inventories let the companies rent more cars at lower prices.

AAA predicts that 37 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles from home this weekend, an increase of more than 2 million from Memorial Day last year but still below pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.