Lower gas prices means record holiday travel in SC

AAA reports USA drivers are now paying the lowest average price for regular unleaded gasoline since 2009. That’s also much lower than the price from a year ago, when motorists were paying $2.45.

Thirty states now have an average price below $2 and another five states: (MD, IL, NH, FL and UT) are poised to join the club within days as the momentum has brought their respective averages within a nickel of $2 a gallon.

As of Wednesday, when the state average fell another penny, some of the cheapest gas prices were in Sussex County.

At around 3:00 p.m. on December 17, the consumer-driven price-posting website Gasbuddy.com sent out a text alert to its area subscribers: “Gas prices are expected to increase 10-25 cents in California over the next week”.

The move comes just in time for a busy holiday driving season with so many people hitting the road to spend time with family and friends.

The national average for diesel fuel fell 4 cents the past week to $2.33, defying the typical seasonal pattern. This year, though, unusually warm weather has reduced demand for heating oil, and diesel prices have continued to fall. The statewide average is now $1.97, with the cheapest gas in the state found in Fayetteville and Winston-Salem at an average of $1.96 a gallon. That’s the highest number in seven years, according to AAA.