© 2026 WEKU
Lexington's Choice for NPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We are in the homestretch of the 1850 Campaign! 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month to offset federal funding cuts. We now have 324 to go! Click here to join the campaign and support WEKU!

Gas Prices Fall To 6-Month Low Nationally; Under $3 In South Carolina

Fuel is pumped into a vehicle Thursday in Miami.
Lynne Sladky
/
AP
Fuel is pumped into a vehicle Thursday in Miami.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline hit a six-month low today.

According to AAA, national survey of more than 100,000 gas stations today's average is $3.41. The AP reports that in South Carolina gas is now below $3.

The AP adds:

"Yet the savings hasn't encouraged people to drive - or spend - more this summer. They're buying about 5 percent less gasoline than they did last year, even though a gallon is 18 cents cheaper.

"Saving a few dollars at the pump also does only so much for consumer psychology.

"A private consumer research firm said Americans continue to be rattled by the sluggish economy. The Conference Board's reading of consumer confidence fell in June for the fourth month in a row. It said worries about the unemployment rate, low home values, a shaky stock market and a struggling European economy could hamper consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity."

Bloomberg reports the average price per gallon in the summer leading up the 2008 elections was $4.11.

But Bloomberg keeps it in perspective saying it really is about the only positive economic indicator lately.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Eyder Peralta is NPR's East Africa correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya.
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content