MORNING HEADLINES | Gas prices shot up almost 25 cents per gallon again last week in South Carolina, driving the price almost one full dollar higher than it was when the U.S. and Israel launched hostilities in the Middle East just over two weeks ago.
“Consumers continue to feel the sting of rising oil, gasoline and diesel costs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, pushing gasoline prices to their highest levels in years while diesel could soon approach the $5-per-gallon mark nationally,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“Until we see a meaningful resumption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist. At the same time, seasonal forces are beginning to intensify as several regions complete the transition to summer gasoline, creating a double headwind that could continue driving pump prices higher in the weeks ahead.”
The average price per gallon for gas rose 23.6 cents in the last week, averaging $3.38 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,028 S.C. stations. Prices in South Carolina are 83.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.
Here are historical gasoline prices in South Carolina and the nation:
- March 16, 2025: $2.67/g (U.S. Average: $3.02/g)
- March 16, 2024: $3.22/g (U.S. Average: $3.45/g)
- March 16, 2023: $3.11/g (U.S. Average: $3.43/g)
- March 16, 2022: $4.00/g (U.S. Average: $4.29/g)
- March 16, 2021: $2.62/g (U.S. Average: $2.87/g)
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In weekend headlines
CP OPINION, Brack: Instead of lowering income tax, dump sales tax exemptions. “The unhealthy obsession among Republicans in the state legislature to cut income taxes is bad tax policy. From a strategic perspective, it’s unbalanced in the tax structure to diminish the role of income taxes in the revenue stream that the state of South Carolina collects to pay for things like education, roads, health care, green space and government services that civilize our lives.”
CP NEWS: Tax cuts, growth, culture dominate first half of session. With week nine of the 2026 legislative session now in the books, the annual five-month dash to do the state’s business is officially half-over. And so far, much of the action saw lawmakers dealing with tax cuts, growing pains and (yet again) culture wars.
CP FOOD: New season of Charleston chef’s series starts March 17 on SCETV. The second season of Charleston private chef Lauren Furey’s digital cooking show on SCETV starts March 17 with more episodes rooted in Southern and Italian food traditions.
- CP: Enjoy these 8 great Charleston veggie burgers
Severe storms expected today from Greenville to the Lowcountry. Severe storms with large hail and winds of up to 75 miles an hour are expected to sweep through S.C. today, as cold temperatures move back into the region.
- Lowcountry school districts, area governments announce closures ahead of bad weather
- Why is South Carolina seeing a ‘swarm’ of earthquakes?
GUN VIOLENCE: Victim hospitalized after North Charleston drive-by shooting. North Charleston police are investigating a weekend drive-by shooting that left one man with multiple gunshot wounds.
New round of ‘No Kings’ protests planned for S.C. Organizers say the Palmetto State events on March 28 will be among more than 1,000 nationwide, including a flagship gathering in Minnesota.
LOCAL: A life, and death, well-lived. This long Sunday story in The Post and Courier celebrates the life of Charleston’s Molly Pratt. It may be one of the best written in-depth profiles this year. We encourage you to take 10 minutes and learn about her.
- Charleston Law School property sale ends 7-year legal standoff with city
- ‘Living shoreline’ project aims to protect Stono River
- Charleston County residents asked to weigh in on sales tax priorities
- Navy to conduct testing in Charleston area this week
- Citadel Mall businesses get 90-day move-out notices as MUSC expands footprint
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