Florence, South Carolina – According to the most recent report from GasBuddy, gas prices have gone up significantly across South Carolina. A gallon of gas in the Palmetto State now costs $3.01. This is an increase of 8.4 cents over the past week. Prices are now 11.2 cents higher than they were a month ago, and this rise is part of a larger trend.
Motorists experienced a wide range of prices depending on where they filled up this past Sunday. The least expensive gas was found to be $2.72 per gallon, while the most expensive gas went up to $3.59 per gallon, demonstrating a difference of 87 cents per gallon across the state.
Rising prices across the nation
This local rise in prices is part of a trend happening across the country. The price of gas has gone up by 10 cents in the last week alone across the United States. As of Monday, the national average was $3.34 per gallon. Prices are 22 cents higher now than they were a month ago, but they are 3.2 cents lower now than they were a year ago.
In contrast to gasoline, diesel prices have shown a decrease. Diesel prices across the country have gone down by 2.7 cents in the past week, and they are now averaging $4.03 per gallon.
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According to GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, the recent price increases could be the start of more challenging times for drivers. The supply of gasoline could get even tighter now as we approach the summer period, which usually means more demand for gas. As every year, gas prices tend to go up in the spring months.
“A majority of the nation’s 50 states have seen gasoline prices rise, with the national average posting a gain for the second straight week, a trend that is hardly surprising for this time of year, and will likely continue as the entire nation has now made the first step toward summer gasoline,” said De Haan.
“The pinch at the pump has been manageable for now, with prices about 30 cents higher than mid-January, but that will likely change as we enter the madness we tend to see in March with refinery maintenance hitting its peak, impacting how much gasoline can be produced as we make the changeover to the summer blends. This always crimps supply, leading to further gas price increases,” he added.
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Drivers in South Carolina and the rest of the country should get prepared for fuel costs that might go up. Drivers are advised stay informed and look for the best prices on gasoline.
