Gas prices trickle down in time for Thanksgiving travel

Average gas prices in the Myrtle Beach area have fallen a little more than $.03 over the past week as travelers get ready to hit the road for the holidays.

The average price of a gallon of gas along the Grand Strand was $1.89 as of Sunday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of 197 gas outlets in the Myrtle Beach area.

The average price is seven cents more expensive than it was on Nov. 21, 2015, but $1.25 cheaper than the average in 2011. The national average was $2.13.

“As motorists pack their bags and prepare to head out for Thanksgiving, gas prices are falling across much of the country,” Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, said in a press release. “With a record amount of travelers, motorists will be facing congestion not only on highways but gas stations. But at least low gas prices have lingered for much of this year. Keep an eye on word from OPEC over the holiday weekend- there could be some surprises at a major meeting to decide the fate of an oil production cut.”

“But no matter what eventually takes place with the OPEC meeting, motorists are virtually guaranteed another year of gas prices that will remain well under all-time record highs as oil prices will likely remain confined between $40 and $60 for much of the next year.

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 8:26 AM with the headline "Gas prices trickle down in time for Thanksgiving travel."