Gas stations around Greenwood buzzed this weekend with conversations about gas prices, which dropped up to 20 cents in a week's time.
At the Village Chevron on U.S. 82, prices fell about 10 cents Friday, following a decrease earlier in the week of 10 cents.
Edgar Evans of Itta Bena filled up his car at the Chevron. The price was 20 cents higher than the regular unleaded offered across the street at $2.49 9/10
"Usually, I get the better gas," he explained. "You pay a little more, but get a little better mileage."
Evans estimates he'll get from 289 miles per gallon to 390 on a full tank driving in town. With the cheaper gas, the mileage is 240 or 250, he said.
Down the road at Scott on U.S. 82 and Claiborne, John Owens, assistant manager of Advanced Fitness, filled up his car before heading for Memphis at the $2.499/10 price.
"Prices are crazy," he said. "I always go to the lowest I can find."
His tank holds about $32 worth of gas, and he expected to spend half that on the round trip to Memphis.
Meanwhile, Joyce Singleton bought gas at the Double Quick on Strong Avenue and U.S. 82. She became confused. What drop in prices? Gas prices hovered around $2.50 a gallon in Leland and Cleveland earlier in the week, the Indianola resident said.
"I noticed yesterday that it was $2.49," she said.
At the Mini Mart on West Park, cashier Montoya Carthledge said the price started falling at mid-week. It was $2.66 Monday and Tuesday, $2.56 Thursday and $2.50 Friday, she said.
Michael Givens and his brother, Ben Hughes, both of Greenwood stood underneath the Mini Mart's canopy and talked about the effect of gas-price increases since Hurricane Katrina.
Hughes said he drives his daughter to school in Moorhead, and the hike has hit his wallet hard.
Givens works at Nissan. It's 68 miles from his house to the plant near Canton, and he carpools with two other employees from Greenwood.
Each drives for two working days. That helps keep the cost down, but still the price increase has cut into his income.
Now, he's spending about $43 for one of his turns behind the wheel. "Before gas got high, I was spending $30," Givens said.
