A turnaround on gas prices, as a recent survey shows prices have dropped on average across the nation for the 3rd consecutive week.
The GasBuddy survey of over 3,000 gas stations across the state showed the drop in the average price of a gallon of gas in South Carolina.
In the survey, the average price of gas across the nation dropped roughly 10.4 cents from this time last week down to $4.78 per gallon.
This also brings the average gas price down to 7.1 cents per gallon lower than it was a month ago. However, the price does still remain roughly $1.66 per gallon higher than it was this time a year ago.
In South Carolina, the average price per gallon remains even lower than the national average though.
In the GasBuddy survey, South Carolina ranked as having the lowest average gas prices in the nation at $4.25 per gallon on average, followed by Georgia with $4.28 per gallon and Mississippi with $4.29 per gallon.
The midlands, especially around Columbia, held some of the lowest prices in the state with multiple Columbia stations boasting $3.83 per gallon as of Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, the Upstate's lowest prices could be found among the upper-$3.80s and low- $3.90s.
On the upper end, California ranked as having the highest average gas prices by over 60 cents at $6.21 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.58 per gallon.
Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a statement that the decrease was expected. "Average gasoline prices have fallen to their lowest level in over a month. The price of wholesale gasoline has plummeted, providing price relief as millions of Americans hit the road for the holiday weekend."
He continued that price declines may continue this week, but "the drop could fade soon if oil prices reverse, especially with strong demond over the holiday."
He said that Americans are spending nearly $100 million less per day now compared to the peak gasoline prices from several weeks ago.
