{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "description": "Key findings The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline across the Lower Atlantic region (the broader region South Carolina belongs to) is $4.15, which is $0.32 per gallon below the national average of $4.48. South Carolina drivers pay",
  "path": "/gas-prices/south-carolina/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-30T16:50:48+00:00",
  "site": "at://did:plc:2s32mlusc66sjb256aenynfc/site.standard.publication/self",
  "textContent": "Key findings\n\nThe average price for a gallon of regular gasoline across the Lower Atlantic region (the broader region South Carolina belongs to) is $4.15, which is $0.32 per gallon below the national average of $4.48.\nSouth Carolina drivers pay 28.8 cents per gallon in state gas taxes, ranking 29th highest in the country.\nThe average residential electricity rate in South Carolina is 16.5 cents per kWh, compared to the national residential average of 18.8 cents per kWh.\nDriving electric in South Carolina could save approximately $1,711 per year in fuel costs compared to a gasoline vehicle.\nOver the past month, gas prices in South Carolina have remained relatively stable.\n\n\nWhat are current gas prices in South Carolina?\nThe U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly retail gasoline price for South Carolina on its own, but it does report a weekly average for the Lower Atlantic region, which includes South Carolina. The current regional average for regular gasoline is $4.15. That is $0.32 per gallon lower than the national average of $4.48, which means drivers in South Carolina are likely paying roughly 7.2% less than the typical American motorist. Actual prices at the pump in South Carolina can vary from the regional average depending on local taxes, distribution, and competition.\nFor a vehicle with a standard 14-gallon fuel tank, a full fill-up in the Lower Atlantic region costs approximately $58.11. At the national average price, that same fill-up would cost $62.65. That means drivers in this area save about $4.54 every time they fill up compared to the national average.\nGas prices vary based on several factors, including crude oil costs, refining capacity in the region, transportation and distribution expenses, local competition among gas stations, and state and federal tax rates. South Carolina also sees seasonal price fluctuations, with prices typically rising in the spring and summer driving months and falling during the winter.\nHow much is gas tax in South Carolina?\nSouth Carolina has a state gas tax of 28.8 cents per gallon. That ranks 29th highest among all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This puts South Carolina roughly in the middle of the pack compared to other states.\nOn top of the state tax, drivers in South Carolina also pay the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, bringing the combined tax burden to 47.2 cents for every gallon of regular gasoline purchased. State gas taxes fund road construction and maintenance, bridge repair, and other transportation infrastructure projects. Some states adjust their gas tax annually based on fuel prices or inflation, while others require legislative action to change the rate.\nHow have gas prices changed in South Carolina?\nOver the past 30 days, gas prices in South Carolina have remained relatively stable. Looking at a wider window, prices over the last 12 weeks have trended upward by about $0.82 per gallon.\nGas prices across the United States are influenced by global crude oil markets, refinery output, seasonal demand, and geopolitical events. In South Carolina, regional factors like proximity to refineries, pipeline infrastructure, and local supply and demand conditions add another layer of price variation. Prices tend to peak between Memorial Day and Labor Day when driving demand is highest, and they often dip in the fall and winter months.\nGas price trend in South Carolina\n\n\nChart shows weekly regular gasoline prices across the Lower Atlantic region, the broader EIA region that includes South Carolina.\n\nHow do gas and electricity costs compare in South Carolina?\nThe average residential electricity rate in South Carolina is 16.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That is below the national average residential electricity rate of 18.8 cents per kWh. The national average electricity rate across all sectors (residential, commercial, and industrial) is 14.2 cents per kWh.\nThese electricity rates matter because they directly affect how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle at home. Most EV owners charge at home overnight using standard residential electricity, so the residential rate is the most relevant number for comparing fuel costs between gas and electric vehicles.\nHere is how the cost per mile breaks down in South Carolina:\n\nGasoline vehicle (average 25.4 MPG): $0.163 per mile\nElectric vehicle (average 0.30 kWh per mile): $0.049 per mile\nDriving electric in South Carolina is approximately 70% cheaper per mile than driving on gasoline.\n\nIs it cheaper to drive electric in South Carolina?\nBased on the average driver covering 15,000 miles per year, here is what annual fuel costs look like in South Carolina:\n\nGasoline vehicle: approximately $2,451 per year (at $4.15 per gallon and 25.4 MPG average)\nElectric vehicle: approximately $740 per year (at 16.5 cents per kWh and 0.30 kWh per mile)\n\nThat is an estimated annual savings of $1,711 by driving electric in South Carolina. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $8,556 in fuel savings alone, not counting the additional maintenance savings that come with an electric vehicle (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements, and no transmission service).\nThese estimates assume home charging at residential electricity rates. Public DC fast charging is typically more expensive, ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh depending on the network and location. For a more detailed comparison based on your specific vehicle and driving habits, try our EV Savings Calculator.\nFrequently asked questions about gas prices in South Carolina\nWhat is the current average gas price in South Carolina?\nThe U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a state-level weekly retail gasoline price for South Carolina. The current weekly average for the Lower Atlantic region, which includes South Carolina, is $4.15. This figure is updated regularly using data from the EIA.\nWhy are gas prices in the Lower Atlantic region lower than the national average?\nPrices in the Lower Atlantic region are influenced by regional supply and demand, refinery capacity and proximity, pipeline access, and local market competition. South Carolina adds its own state gas tax of 28.8 cents per gallon on top of those regional factors, which combine to push pump prices below what drivers pay in other parts of the country.\nWhat is the gas tax in South Carolina?\nSouth Carolina charges a state gas tax of 28.8 cents per gallon. Combined with the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, the total tax on each gallon of gasoline in South Carolina is 47.2 cents.\nWhat is the average electricity rate in South Carolina?\nThe average residential electricity rate in South Carolina is 16.5 cents per kWh. The national average for residential electricity is 18.8 cents per kWh, and the national average across all sectors is 14.2 cents per kWh.\nIs it cheaper to charge an EV or fill up with gas in South Carolina?\nIn most cases, charging an electric vehicle in South Carolina is significantly cheaper than filling up with gasoline. At current rates, driving electric costs approximately $0.049 per mile, while driving a gasoline vehicle costs about $0.163 per mile. Use our EV Savings Calculator for a detailed comparison based on your vehicle.\nHow much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle in South Carolina?\nAt the average residential electricity rate of 16.5 cents per kWh in South Carolina, charging a typical EV with a 60 kWh battery from empty to full costs approximately $9.87 at home. Public DC fast charging typically costs more, ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh.\nWhat factors affect gas prices in South Carolina?\nGas prices in South Carolina are shaped by global crude oil prices, state and federal taxes, refinery capacity and proximity, pipeline and transportation infrastructure, seasonal demand patterns, and local market competition among gas stations.\nHow often do gas prices change in South Carolina?\nGas prices in South Carolina can change daily at the pump. Wholesale prices fluctuate based on crude oil markets and refinery output. The EIA publishes weekly state-level price data, and this page is updated monthly with the latest figures.\nWhat is the national average gas price?\nThe current national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.48. This represents the average across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, weighted by volume.\nHow much money can I save driving electric in South Carolina?\nBased on 15,000 miles per year of driving in South Carolina, switching from a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle could save approximately $1,711 per year in fuel costs alone. Additional savings come from lower maintenance expenses.\nDoes South Carolina offer any EV incentives?\nEV incentives vary by state and change frequently. South Carolina may offer state tax credits, rebates, HOV lane access, or reduced registration fees for electric vehicles. Check our EV Incentive Finder for the most current incentives available in South Carolina.\nWhen is the best time to buy gas in South Carolina?\nGas prices in South Carolina tend to be lowest in the fall and winter months when driving demand decreases. Prices typically rise in spring as refineries switch to summer-blend fuels and peak during the summer driving season. Filling up earlier in the week (Monday or Tuesday) can also sometimes yield slightly lower prices.",
  "title": "Gas prices in South Carolina",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-28T20:44:56+00:00"
}