(WCIV) — Average gas prices in South Carolina rose by 2.7 cents per gallon in the last week standing at a statewide average of $2.75 per gallon, according toGasBuddy’s survey of 3,028 stations in the Palmetto State. Average gas prices in the state are8.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 17.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, Gasbuddy reported. Nationally, Gasbuddy said the average price for a gallon of gas fell by 2.2 cents in the last week, averaging $3.05 per gallon Monday. The national average if 11.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, and 34.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago,according to GasBuddy compilation of data from more than 11 million weekly price reports. “Seasonal trends continue to push down gasoline prices across much of the country, with GasBuddy counting 26 states where average gas prices have fallen below $3 per gallon—something that could be less than a week away for the national average,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While much of the attention this week will be on the election and how it could potentially change the trajectory of the nation, gasoline prices are likely to be a gift to the next president, staying much lower than in previous years when COVID and Russia’s war on Ukraine caused a surge that’s unlikely to repeat, no matter who wins the election. For now, Americans can expect the downward trend to continue in most states, while other states have seen prices jump temporarily due to a behavior we track called price cycling. We should see the number of states with sub-$3-per-gallon prices grow as we get closer to Thanksgiving.” Categories: News, State Tags: SC gas prices, South Carolina gas prices