 Paying for gas, there was a six-cent increase in local gas prices last week in the Wilmington area. That's according to the latest GasBuddy survey of area gas stations. The average cost of a gallon of regular, now $3.52, eight cents higher than a year ago, but a dollar less than it was at this time in 2022. GasBuddy.com analysts say slight fluctuations in prices, both up and down, can be expected in the short term.