North Carolinians traveling to South Carolina for cheaper gas prices

CLOVER, S.C. — Gas prices continue to reach record highs, and some North Carolinians are driving to South Carolina to fill up for less.

According to AAA, people in North Carolina are now paying $4.19 a gallon, but in South Carolina it is 11 cents cheaper at $4.08.

The difference in cost is due to the gas tax in South Carolina being 10 cents cheaper than in North Carolina.

Channel 9′s Ken Lemon talked to drivers from Hickory that are getting gas near Clover, South Carolina.

Lemon drove down Highway 321 and stopped at the closest gas station in Gastonia where gas was $4.19 a gallon. He was able to get 4.7 gallons for $20.

Across state lines, Lemon paid $3.99 a gallon and got 5 gallons for $20.

The difference is only .3 gallons, but drivers say the savings add up when filling up the entire tank.

Gene Barber is one of those drivers.

“In case it’s going to go higher and higher and higher. We are trying to have some in stock in case we need it later on,” said Barber.

Barber drove from Gastonia, passing three gas stations to get to the busy BP 15 minutes away.

“It’s 30 cents a gallon cheaper,” said Barber. He said the savings add up when you hit the $100 limit per sale.

Lloyd Williams drove 40 minutes out of his way for gas from Stanley, North Carolina.

“I’m not going to pay $4.19, $4.29 there in Stanley when I can come down here and pay $3.99,” said Williams.

Lemon talked to Brian Kalwite, a driver from Hickory, who said he was already feeling the pinch from inflation.

“The economy is rising, and they don’t want to give raises or anything,” said Kalwite.

Another driver filled up for $67 in South Carolina and said in Charlotte he was only able to fill up three quarters with the same amount.

Other drivers told Lemon that when prices eventually fall, they plan to continue to drive to South Carolina for gas to recoup the money they lost when prices skyrocketed.

(WATCH BELOW: How are gas prices are determined? What you need to know)

How are gas prices are determined? What you need to know (NCD)

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