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ROCK HILL, S.C. — Wednesday's average for a gallon of gas in South Carolina is $3.25, but it's even better for customers filling up on Anderson Road in Rock Hill.
On Wednesday afternoon, the price at a new QT station dropped to $2.95 a gallon -- the cheapest Channel 9 found in town.
"It's a great feeling. It's been a long time coming," said Jim Geary, who puts about 600 miles a month on his car. "It makes a really big difference, to be able to fill up and not spend 50 bucks on it."
The price war on this particular corner may be partly due to the new QT store offering special pricing, and nearby competing stations are offering similar prices.
The Anderson Road area, however, typically has the cheapest gas in Rock Hill, along with North Cherry Road near Interstate 77.
Prices dipping below $3 is reason to cheer for two sisters who just moved to York County from California.
"In California, you pay, like, $4.30 a gallon, and sometimes more. You would never see this in California, ever," said Deanna Sconzo.
"We would just fill up a little bit, just enough to get us where we need to go. You have no choice," said her twin sister, Alyssa.
Earl Cousar said high prices in recent years have made it tough on him.
"Sometimes I didn't know if I was going to make it," he said. Now, he's fearlessly topping off the tank in his V8 Explorer, like other customers are. "I hope all the rest of them will come down, too, like this."
AAA of the Carolinas told Channel 9 the last time gas in South Carolina averaged below $3 a gallon was in July of last year. It's been almost three years since it dipped that low in North Carolina -- since December 2010.
Wednesday's averages are $3.25 in South Carolina, and $3.47 in North Carolina.
Michelle Stewart drives a car that takes premium gas. The price break may not be as nice for her, but it still beats what it was.
"It helps. We've got to make a living," she said.
AAA officials in Charlotte expect gas prices to keep falling slowly from now until the end of the year, which is typical. However, a major late-season hurricane could reverse that trend, or uncertainties about Syria and oil-producing nations in general.
WSOC
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