COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Gas prices in the Midlands continue their decline this week, averaging $3.11 per gallon. That's down over 2 cents from last week's report from ColumbiaGasPrices.com.
The dip is 52.4 cents higher than last year at this time, but nearly 30 cents lower than one month ago at this time.
South Carolina currently has the lowest prices for unleaded in the nation, followed by Missouri and Louisiana. Spartanburg, Greenville and Columbia rank in the top ten cities across the nation with cheap gas.
Nationally, the average dropped at the same rate as the local price to $3.42.
"After oil prices briefly dropped to $75/bbl in the last two weeks, we've seen a mini-rally take place, driving prices up to a more recent mark of $82/bbl. The volatility we continue to see in oil prices isn't surprising, and will likely continue as a fragile economy and some upbeat investors play the market," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst. "What this means for motorists is a continued roller coaster ride at the gas pump. While I don't expect a huge of movement in either direction, these up and down fluctuations in gas prices will become the norm ahead of a volatile Spring 2012 time period," DeHaan adds.
To check out the latest gas prices in your neighborhood, rely on our Pain at the Pump page.