Relief at the Pump

Motorists will notice this week that gas prices have fallen for the first time in 2012.

In the Charleston area, gas sells for $3.69 a gallon, on average. That's down about 4 cents a gallon from a week ago, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.

Nationally, this is the first break we've seen in gas prices since December, though the Charleston area has consistently been one of the most affordable places in the country to fill up.

Track area gas prices and traffic delays at Goose Creek Patch

Across the U.S., a gallon of regular unleaded costs about $3.85. Most locales saw a 5-cent drop in per gallon prices, AAA reports.

Just like the spike in prices, the cheaper fuel isn't coming because demand has changed. Americans are using far less gas than in recent years. In fact, crude supply is at its highest level in two years.

One ship earlier this month actually returned to port in Alaska with oil it couldn't sell.

"Gasoline prices have slipped, and if crude-oil prices remain stable, then we may see another 5 cent to 10 cent decline at the pump," said Trilby Lundberg, president of The Camarillo, a gas-tracking survey.