Cost to Drive in South Carolina Down From Last Year

The cost of driving in South Carolina is down for the first time in four years.

AAA Carolinas announced Tuesday that it will cost the driver of an average sedan about $9,200 to operate their vehicle this year. That’s down from just over $10,000 last year.

The operation costs calculated include insurance, maintenance, fuel, taxes, depreciation and finance changes for driving 15,000 miles a year. The motor club says costs are lower this year in part because of the improved economy, falling gas prices and lower insurance costs.

Regular unleaded gas prices in the state on Tuesday averaged $3.22 compared with $3.59 a gallon a year ago.