S.C. Has Cheapest Gas in U.S.

If you're traveling outside South Carolina this weekend, fill 'er up inside the Palmetto State borders. While many parts of the U.S. are experiencing gas shortages and skyrocketing prices, South Carolina has the cheapest gas in the nation.

Across South Carolina, a gallon of regular unleaded is averaging about $3.48 today, according to AAA Fuel Guage Report. Though the price is up about 30 cents from this time last year, prices have fallen about 5 cents over the last week. A gallon of gas in the Columbia area is running about $3.46 a gallon. In Lexington, prices are as low as $3.33 per gallon.

Nationally, however, the same gallon of gas costs $3.78. And some states, such as California, are seeing gas prices push beyond $4.50 a gallon today, according to AAA, while other parts are seing prices push beyond $6 a gallon as shortage fears drain supply.

South Carolina traditionally has some of the most affordable gas in the country. The Palmetto State even beats out Gulf Coast states, which benefit from having fuel refineries within their borders, according to USA Today.

What the Palmetto State has going for it, however, is the one of the lowest gas taxes in the nation, the newspaper reports. The state levies an excise tax of just 16 cents per gallon and other taxes and fees of only 0.8 cents.

But the state isn't immune to gas price hikes. The state saw it's highest gas price on Sept. 15, 2008, when a gallon of regular unleaded reached $4.12 a gallon, according to AAA.

Here's where you can find some of the cheapest gas in Lexington, according to columbiagasprices.com:

• Shell at 5035 Augusta Road - $3.33
• Pops at 4403 Augusta Road - $3.33
• Murphy Express at 4873 Augusta Road - $3.33
• Exxon at 5019 Augusta Road - $3.33
• C-Mart at 658 Two Notch Road - $3.34
• Murphy Express at 108 Knoll Station Drive - $3.35