Gas pains will keep many home for the holiday

Andrew Goddard of Quantico, Va., fills his truck with gas during a stop at the Petro Express on Floyd Baker Boulevard. Rising gas prices have caused many people to decide to stay home for the long holiday weekend. The high price of gas is expected to keep some South Carolina motorists off state roads during the July 4 holiday weekend, according to AAA Carolinas.

With prices nearing $4 per gallon at pumps across the Palmetto State, an estimated 551,000 South Carolina drivers are expected to hit the highway this weekend, more than 1 percent less than last year.

"The high price of fuel may be forcing many travelers to change their vacation plans," said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. "With barrels of oil trading at new record highs almost daily, it is unknown whether gas prices will stabilize or decrease this summer."

South Carolina currently has the second-cheapest gas in the country, averaging $3.86 per gallon, more than 25 cents less than the national average. However, since Memorial Day the price has risen 22 cents, keeping perennial July 4 motorists like Cherokee County resident Larry Griffin off the highway this holiday weekend.

"I think it's ridiculous how much we are paying for gas," Griffin said. "Unfortunately, there is little we can do about it other than not travel this weekend."

With fewer motorists heading out of town, local grocery stores are bracing for an increase in customers this year.

"We have already seen the amount of people coming in the store increase recently," said Brittany Bishop, front end manager of Ingle's Market on Floyd Baker Boulevard. "But we are expecting to see more customers come in the doors as the July 4 holiday approaches."

Rising food prices have done little to stop customers from purchasing products like hamburgers, hot dogs and charcoal in preparation for this weekend. According to Bishop, the soaring costs of food and gas likely will not keep people from celebrating.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and local police agencies will be out in force, conducting checkpoints and watching for lawbreakers.

"Our primary focus during this time will be preventing DUI and speed-related collisions that tend to rise during the summer travel season," said Troop Four Commander Capt. Mark Wright. Motorcycle units and unmarked patrol cars are expected to be used by law enforcement officials in addition to regular patrol cruisers.