‘Hardly surprising’: Gas prices continue to climb in South Carolina
As of early March, South Carolina is grappling with a surge in gas prices. Over the past week, the state’s average gas prices have climbed by 8.4 cents per gallon, pushing the average cost per gallon above the $3 mark for the first time since last year.
State and National Gas Prices: A Snapshot
Based on a survey covering more than 3,000 gas stations across the state, GasBuddy reports the present average gas price in South Carolina is $3.01 per gallon. This is an 11.2 cent increase when compared to last month, but virtually unchanged compared to this time last year.
The least expensive gas in South Carolina was reported in a station selling at $2.72 per gallon, while the most expensive went for $3.59 per gallon—an 87 cent difference.
Tri-County area Statistics
In the Tri-County area, the cheapest gas as of the first Monday of March was selling at a station in Moncks Corner at $2.82 per gallon.
Trends on a National Scale
On a national level, the average gas price has risen by 10 cents—presently averaging $3.34 per gallon. The national average has gone up by 22 cents since last month and is currently 3.2 cents lower than last year’s figures, based on GasBuddy data sourced from more than 11 million reports.
Understanding Recent Trends In Fuel Prices
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, was not surprised by these recent developments. “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,” he explained.
De Haan anticipates that while the pain at the pump “has been manageable” with prices only about 30 cents higher than mid-January, this trend could shift. As we move closer to summer and refineries shift production to summer blends, we typically see a drop in availability causing prices to rise further.
Diesel Prices
Not all fuel trends followed the same patterns, however. Over the past week, the price of diesel fell by 2.7 cents, averaging now at $4.03 per gallon. Nevertheless, drivers, supply chain companies, and citizens alike will surely keep a watchful eye on the trend in diesel fuel costs—as well as gas prices—as we advance further into 2024.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
