Under $3 gas

GEORGETOWN, SC (WMBF) - If there was one stretch of road that could bring a smile to the faces of drivers fueling up at the pump, it would be in Georgetown.

Both residents and drivers in the area are seeing prices that are breaking the $3 barrier - numbers that haven't consistently shown up on pumps for quite a few months.

AAA of the Carolinas reported drivers were snagging the best deals on Wednesday at the Winyah One Stop on Highmarket Street, as cars lined up for the $2.86 bargain for unleaded regular gas.  Gas prices dipped even lower than $2.86 Thursday morning, dropping 8 cents in one night.

The owners of Gene's Country Store saw much of the same activity earlier this week after dropping the price of gas 20 cents on Monday.  Prices opened the week at $3.15 before falling to a steady $2.95 per gallon.  As of Thursday morning fuel reports, the store, also located on Highmarket Street, has continued the bargain for locals into the beginning of the weekend.

After seeing a staggering spike in business, owners say they plan on selling the hot commodity for cheap as long as they can - even if it means having to deal with fender benders from excited drivers outside of their store.

The lesson to learn from these rare prices?  Going south could save you a pretty penny.  Eight other stations in or around Georgetown are selling unleaded regular for below $3.20 a gallon.  One station even reached the $2.72 mark. 

Myrtle Beach residents, however, won't be seeing that luxury in the immediate future.  Gas prices are expected to continue settling above the $3.40 mark along the Grand Strand through this weekend.