SC gas prices plummet ahead of holiday travel. See if they will drop more by Christmas Day
South Carolina drivers hitting the road for Christmas and holiday travel are set to see a welcome break at the pump this year, as gas prices are expected to remain at some of the lowest levels seen since December 2020.
According to the American Automobile Association, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has fallen more than $0.04 in the past week, to $2.89. That makes this the cheapest December for drivers in five years, even as holiday travel volumes surge nationwide.
GasBuddy, a national fuel tracking service, expects prices to dip even further by Christmas Day and projects the national average will fall to around $2.79 per gallon.
That drop is expected to save U.S. motorists more than $521 million during the Christmas travel week compared to 2024, when the average was closer to $3.00.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said that the end of refinery maintenance, rising fuel supplies and lower winter demand are key reasons prices are staying low. AAA reports that lower crude oil prices and strong gasoline supplies are also helping keep prices in check despite increased demand.
What are gas prices in SC right now?
For South Carolina travelers, AAA’s fuel price tracker shows that the statewide average gas price stood at $2.56 per gallon as of Dec. 19.
Average prices across counties in the Palmetto State include:
- Beaufort County: $2.62
- Horry County: $2.47
- Richland County: $2.61
- Lexington County: $2.61
- York County: $2.51
- Greenville County: $2.50
- Jasper County: $2.72
- Georgetown County: $2.55
GasBuddy helps drivers find the lowest prices at select stations across the state.
The lowest prices for a gallon of regular gas on Dec. 19 — excluding membership-only locations like Sam’s Club — were reported as:
- Beaufort County: $2.22
- Horry County: $2.24
- Richland County: $2.29
- Lexington County: $2.29
- York County: $2.34
- Greenville County: $2.15
- Jasper County: $2.32
- Georgetown County: $2.22
Gas prices can fluctuate daily, especially during busy travel periods. Drivers are encouraged to check prices ahead of time and plan fuel stops to find the most cost-effective options while traveling for the holidays.
