Glee at the gas pump
By Steve Herring
Published in News on February 2, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
The sign that stands above Murphy Express on N.C. 581 is one of many that have drivers celebrating.
Motorists around Goldsboro aren't really sure why gas prices have fallen to under $2 per gallon for the first time in years, or how long the lower prices will last.
What they do know is that they plan to enjoy the relief for as long as it lasts.
That is as true for people like Carolyn Ellis of LaGrange, whose small car gets nearly 30 miles per gallon, as it is for Tomshawn McClarain of Goldsboro, who is now spending $35 instead of $60 to fill up his van.
Both were at the Cashwell Market BP on Saturday afternoon, filling up with $1.99 per gallon gas.
"Thank the Lord for the blessing," Ms. Ellis said. "I hope it still comes right on down."
Ms. Ellis said she drives a lot and is thankful the price has dropped.
"I know for sure that it is easier on my wallet," she said. "It definitely is because I do a lot of going all of the time so that gives me a little bit more mileage."
Ms. Ellis and McClarain said they had never thought they would see gas below $2 a gallon again.
Ms. Ellis said she couldn't remember what the cost per gallon was last year at this time, but knows that it was "a bit more expensive" and people could not be going a lot.
"But now if you put $10 worth of gas in your car you have got some gas," she said. "You can travel. You really can."
She said she expects the price of gas to increase by summer.
"You just wonder what happened that all of the sudden it started coming down and kept on coming down," Ms. Ellis said. "But I am sure that everybody is excited about it.
"But if it doesn't go up a lot, they will still travel. They really will."
McClarain said he believes he is driving more now that the price has dropped and left more money in his wallet.
"I hope it continues to stay like this because it is good," he said. "I am sure it is good on everybody's pockets the way these prices are.
"I think they (oil companies) have been keeping it high to make money. Not sure why the price came down, unless it could have been a drop in sales."
Travis Kornegay of Mount Olive was filling up his car at a station near the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
"Now you can do a lot more riding as far as mileage wise, including getting back and forth to work," he said. "I have seen prices at $1.99, $1.98. You see more trucks on the roads, SUVs and things like that. Not as many are getting sold now (by their owners)."
The lowers prices help people who have to commute in order to get better jobs, he said.
But he thinks prices will increase by summertime.
"I don't look for it to stay down too low," he said. "I can recall that the gas really shot up right around Desert Storm and we had a lot of wars overseas. When 9/11 came the gas prices really shot up a lot. Since then it has slacked down a little bit."
He said Friday night he used some of that extra money to take in a movie.
There was a steady stream of vehicles through the gas islands at Sam's Club where regular gas is $1.98.
Pam Dryden of LaGrange was filling up her mother's SUV.
"I like it," she said. "It is $1.99 in Kinston. Anything under $2. I never thought I would see gas below $2 ever. But I am very pleased."
Asked if she thinks the prices will hold out, she answered, "I am afraid to say yes."
"It is not going to last long," said Jessie Moody of Seven Springs as he topped off the tank on his pickup. "With the way the economy is the consumers are just getting a little taste of it, but with the summer coming up and traveling season it is going to right back up. I say it will be back to $3. They will jack it back up."
Prior to the price drop it could take nearly $100 to fill the truck tanks. Now it is closer to $60.
However, Moody said he likes to keep the tank about three-quarters full and will take advantage of the lower prices and "squeeze out" as much as he can while he can before prices start back up.